EP4036506A2 - Treatment system and method for treating workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to create a treatment system for treating workpieces, which has a simple structure and enables optimized workpiece treatment, it is proposed that the treatment system comprises a treatment room and a conveyor device, by means of which the workpieces can be fed into the treatment room, removed from the treatment room and/or in a Conveying direction can be conveyed through the treatment room.

Description

The present invention relates to a treatment system and a method for treating workpieces. In particular, a treatment plant serves to dry coated vehicle bodies. The method for treating workpieces is therefore in particular a method for drying coated vehicle bodies.

Treatment systems and treatment methods are in particular from the EP 1 998 129 B1 , the U.S. 2006/0068094 A1 , the EP 1 302 737 A2 and the WO 02/073109 A1 known.

The object of the present invention is to provide a treatment system that is simple in design and enables optimized workpiece treatment.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a treatment system for treating workpieces, for example for drying coated vehicle bodies, the treatment system comprising a treatment room and a conveyor device, by means of which the workpieces can be fed to the treatment room, removed from the treatment room and/or in a conveying direction through can be conveyed through the treatment room.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the workpieces can be picked up by the conveyor device and conveyed at least in sections through the treatment room in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the workpieces is aligned at least approximately horizontally and/or transversely, in particular essentially perpendicularly, to the conveying direction. A vertical axis of the workpiece, which is aligned at least approximately vertically in the finished state of the workpiece, is preferably aligned at least approximately vertically or at least approximately horizontally during the conveyance of the workpiece through the treatment chamber.

In particular, it can be provided that the workpieces can be picked up by the conveyor device and conveyed at least in sections through the treatment room in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the workpieces is aligned at least approximately horizontally and/or encloses an angle of at least approximately 90° with the conveying direction.

For example, the workpieces for conveying them are arranged in an at least approximately horizontal plane rotated about an at least approximately vertical axis by at least approximately 90° to the conveying direction.

In this description and the appended claims, the terms "at least approximately" and "approximately" preferably mean a deviation of at most +/-20%, for example at most +/-10%, in particular at most +/-5%, from the stated value to understand.

It can be advantageous if the treatment system comprises at least one inlet opening for supplying gas to the treatment space and at least one outlet opening for removing gas from the treatment space, which are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece.

At least one inlet opening and/or at least one outlet opening can be arranged and/or formed, for example, in a wall that delimits the treatment space.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that at least one inlet opening and/or at least one outlet opening passes through an end area a flow guide opening into the treatment chamber. Such a flow guide can include, for example, one or more flow guide elements or flow guide elements and/or a guide channel. It is preferably decisive that an area of the flow guidance that forms the at least one inlet opening and/or the at least one outlet opening is used, in particular, to release at least a large part of the supplied gas flow into the treatment chamber and/or to carry out at least a large part of the gas flow to be led out of the treatment chamber regardless of whether or not the gas flow is guided in sections within an inner contour of the housing surrounding the treatment space and/or within the treatment space before it is fed to the treatment space and/or after it is discharged from the treatment space.

The at least one inlet opening on the one hand and the at least one outlet opening on the other hand are preferably arranged on different sides of a vertical workpiece transverse center plane.

A vertical workpiece transverse center plane is in particular a plane which is aligned perpendicular to a workpiece longitudinal direction and runs through a center point and/or center of gravity of the workpiece which is central with respect to a workpiece longitudinal direction.

It can be favorable if all inlet openings on the one hand and all outlet openings on the other hand are arranged on different sides of a vertical workpiece transverse center plane. In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening are arranged at a distance from one another which is at least approximately 60%, in particular at least approximately 80%, for example at least approximately 100%, of a total length of the workpiece taken along a longitudinal direction workpiece is.

It can be advantageous if the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening are offset with respect to the conveying direction.

The at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening are preferably assigned to a holding position of a workpiece, in which the workpiece dwells at least temporarily. By offsetting the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening with respect to the conveying direction, a gas flow with a vectorial component along the conveying direction can preferably be achieved. In particular, it can be provided that a gas stream flows through a workpiece in the holding position along the conveying direction.

Provision can be made for the treatment system to comprise at least one inlet opening for supplying gas to the treatment room and at least one outlet opening for discharging gas from the treatment room, with the at least one inlet opening on the one hand and the at least one outlet opening on the other being relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the treatment room are arranged on different sides of the treatment room.

The vertical longitudinal center plane is preferably a plane arranged centrally with respect to a maximum or average horizontal transverse extension of the treatment room.

The vertical longitudinal center plane runs in particular parallel to the conveying direction.

The transverse extension is in particular an extension in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

It can be favorable if the treatment system has one or more inlet openings for supplying gas to the treatment room and/or one or comprises a plurality of outlet openings for discharging gas from the treatment space.

The one or more, in particular all, inlet openings are preferably arranged in one of two half-spaces of the treatment space divided by a vertical, horizontal or oblique longitudinal center plane.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the one or more, in particular all, outlet openings are arranged in one of the two half-spaces of the treatment space divided by the vertical, horizontal or oblique longitudinal center plane.

In particular, it can be provided that the one or more, in particular all, inlet openings are arranged in a first half-space and the one or more, in particular all, outlet openings are arranged in another, in particular second, of the two half-spaces.

By arranging the inlet openings and/or outlet openings in preferably only one of two half-chambers of the treatment chamber, in particular a one-sided gas supply and/or a one-sided gas discharge can be implemented.

The treatment system preferably comprises a plurality of inlet openings for supplying gas to the treatment chamber and a plurality of outlet openings for discharging gas from the treatment chamber, with the inlet openings on the one hand and the outlet openings on the other hand preferably being arranged at least approximately opposite one another with respect to a diagonal plane, with the diagonal plane being parallel to the conveying direction and extends substantially diagonally through the treatment room.

The diagonal plane preferably encloses an angle of at least approximately 40°, for example approximately 45°, and/or at most approximately 50° with the direction of gravity.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment system comprises a plurality of inlet openings for supplying gas to the treatment room and a plurality of outlet openings for removing gas from the treatment room, with the inlet openings and the outlet openings being arranged in such a way that the treatment room is transverse, in particular in the Gas can flow through essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction and/or at least approximately diagonally.

The treatment plant preferably comprises at least one air circulation module.

In particular, several circulating air modules of the treatment plant can be provided.

• eine Gaszuführung zum Zuführen von Gas zu dem Behandlungsraum; und/oder
• eine Gasabführung zum Abführen von Gas aus dem Behandlungsraum; und/oder
• eine Gebläsevorrichtung zum Antreiben eines Umluftgasstroms; und/oder eine Abscheidevorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen aus dem Umluftgasstrom; und/oder
• eine Verteilervorrichtung zum Verteilen des dem Behandlungsraum zuzuführenden Umluftgasstroms auf mehrere Einlassöffnungen der Gaszuführung; und/oder
• eine Sammelvorrichtung, mittels welcher der durch mehrere Auslassöffnungen der Gasabführung aus dem Behandlungsraum abgeführte Umluftgasstrom zusammenführbar ist.

A recirculation module, in particular any recirculation module, preferably includes the following:

• a gas supply for supplying gas to the treatment space; and or
• a gas exhaust for exhausting gas from the treatment space; and or
• a fan device for driving a flow of forced air gas; and/or a separating device for separating impurities from the circulating air gas flow; and or
• a distributor device for distributing the circulating air gas flow to be supplied to the treatment chamber over a plurality of inlet openings of the gas supply; and or
• a collecting device, by means of which the circulating air gas flow discharged from the treatment chamber through a plurality of outlet openings of the gas discharge can be combined.

The treatment system preferably comprises a plurality of air circulation modules which follow one another along the conveying direction.

Each air recirculation module preferably forms a section of the treatment plant, in particular a complete section.

In particular, an air recirculation module includes an air recirculation unit, which can be docked onto a housing surrounding the treatment room.

A recirculation module includes in particular a section of the housing surrounding the treatment room and a recirculation unit.

In this specification and the appended claims, the term "circulating air" is not necessarily defined as the gas "air". Rather, the term “circulating air” preferably designates a gas that is conducted in a circuit, which is in particular processed and/or reused several times.

Preferably, no connecting channels are provided between the air circulation unit and the housing surrounding the treatment chamber. Rather, the circulating air unit and the housing, which surrounds the treatment room, preferably have a common wall.

A gas stream can preferably be guided through an opening or recess in the common wall of the air circulation unit into the treatment room.

The gas supply or gas discharge can be part of the circulating air unit or of the housing that surrounds the treatment room. Depending on this, the opening in the common wall is suitable for supplying gas to the gas supply line or for supplying gas to the treatment space.

The treatment plant preferably comprises at least one rinsing module.

In particular, several rinsing modules of the treatment plant can be provided.

• eine Gaszuführung zum Zuführen von Gas zu dem Behandlungsraum; und/oder
• eine Gasabführung zum Abführen von Gas aus dem Behandlungsraum; und/oder
• eine Gebläsevorrichtung zum Antreiben eines Spülgasstroms; und/oder eine Abscheidevorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Verunreinigungen aus dem Spülgasstrom; und/oder
• eine Verteilervorrichtung zum Verteilen des dem Behandlungsraum zuzuführenden Spülgasstroms auf mehrere Einlassöffnungen der Gaszuführung; und/oder
• eine Sammelvorrichtung, mittels welcher der durch mehrere Auslassöffnungen der Gasabführung aus dem Behandlungsraum abgeführte Spülgasstrom zusammenführbar ist.

A flushing module, in particular each flushing module, preferably includes the following:

• a gas supply for supplying gas to the treatment space; and or
• a gas exhaust for exhausting gas from the treatment space; and or
• a fan device for driving a flow of purge gas; and/or a separating device for separating impurities from the purge gas stream; and or
• a distribution device for distributing the flushing gas flow to be supplied to the treatment chamber over a plurality of inlet openings of the gas supply; and or
• a collecting device, by means of which the flushing gas flow discharged from the treatment chamber through a plurality of outlet openings of the gas discharge can be combined.

The treatment system preferably comprises a plurality of rinsing modules that follow one another along the conveying direction.

Each rinsing module preferably forms a section, in particular a complete section, of the treatment system.

In particular, a flushing module includes a flushing gas unit, which can be docked onto a housing surrounding the treatment chamber.

A scavenging module includes in particular a section of the housing surrounding the treatment chamber and a scavenging gas unit.

Preferably, no connecting channels are provided between the flushing gas unit and the housing surrounding the treatment chamber. Rather, the flushing gas unit and the housing, which surrounds the treatment chamber, preferably have a common wall.

A gas flow can preferably be guided through an opening or recess in the common wall of the flushing gas unit into the treatment space.

The gas supply or gas discharge can be part of the flushing gas unit or of the housing that surrounds the treatment space. Depending on this, the opening in the common wall is suitable for supplying gas to the gas supply line or for supplying gas to the treatment space.

One or more circulating air modules or all circulating air modules of the treatment system and/or one or more rinsing modules or all rinsing modules of the treatment system can have one or more or all of the features and/or advantages generally described in connection with a module.

One or more modules or all modules of the treatment plant preferably each comprise one or more transport units or are each formed from one or more transport units.

A transport unit is in particular a transportable unit which can be transported from one location to another as a whole and/or without further subdivision or without further dismantling into components of the transport unit. For example, a transport unit can be transported as a whole with a truck to accommodate standard containers, iso-containers or shipping containers.

For example, it can be provided that one or more modules or all modules each comprise a plurality of transport units, for example three transport units, which together form or surround a treatment room section of the module. In addition, a unit, in particular a circulating air unit and/or a flushing gas unit, is preferably assigned to each module or each of these transport units.

It can be provided that only one transport unit of a module is assigned a unit, in particular a circulating air unit and/or a flushing gas unit.

In particular, it can be the case that of three transport units of a module, which together form or surround a treatment room section of the module, only one transport unit, for example a centrally arranged transport unit, can be assigned a unit, in particular a recirculation unit and/or a flushing gas unit. In this case, for example, one or more annular gas flows can be generated only in this transport unit.

A unit, in particular a circulating air unit and/or a flushing gas unit, preferably forms a further transport unit of the module.

It can be advantageous if a longitudinal extent of a unit, in particular a recirculating air unit and/or a flushing gas unit, along the conveying direction corresponds at least approximately to a longitudinal extent of a transport unit along the conveying direction.

It can be favorable if exactly one ring gas flow or several ring gas flows can be generated or are generated in one or more transport units or all transport units which form or surround a treatment chamber section of the module.

It can be advantageous if one or more, in particular all, transport units is assigned exactly one processing cycle and/or exactly one processing position (workpiece location) for processing a workpiece. Within these one or these several, in particular all, transport units, there is then preferably only one holding position in each case, in which the workpieces are stopped one after the other in order to carry out a treatment process.

However, provision can also be made for one or more, in particular all, transport units to be assigned a plurality of processing cycles and/or a plurality of processing positions (workpiece locations) for processing workpieces. Within these one or these several, in particular all, transport units there are then preferably in each case several holding positions in which the workpieces are stopped one after the other in order to carry out one or more treatment processes.

The distributor device is preferably separated from the treatment room by means of a partition wall.

The distribution device is preferably arranged and/or formed entirely on one side of the treatment room.

The partition forms or is in particular a side wall of the treatment room or a section of a side wall of the treatment room.

One or more inlet openings, optionally all inlet openings, are preferably formed in the partition.

The partition wall is preferably arranged within the housing which surrounds the treatment space. The distribution device is then preferably part of the housing that surrounds the treatment room.

However, it can also be provided that the partition wall is in particular a common wall between the circulating air unit or flushing gas unit on the one hand and the housing which surrounds the treatment chamber on the other hand.

As an alternative or in addition to at least one inlet opening arranged in a partition wall, it can be provided that at least one inlet opening is arranged in a bottom wall of the housing surrounding the treatment room and/or in a top wall of the housing surrounding the treatment room.

In particular, several of the inlet openings described above can be provided.

It can be favorable if the partition wall is designed to follow a workpiece contour, for example following a longitudinal workpiece contour, at least in sections.

It can be advantageous if the treatment system is a treatment system for treating vehicle bodies and if the partition wall has an essentially vertical section running at least approximately parallel to a vehicle front or a vehicle rear of a vehicle body, an at least approximately parallel to a front hood or rear hood of the vehicle body Substantially horizontal section and / or an at least approximately parallel to the A-pillars or C-pillars of the vehicle body extending sloping section comprises.

It can be favorable if the partition wall has several inlet openings in the essentially vertical section running at least approximately parallel to a vehicle front or a vehicle rear of a vehicle body and/or several inlet openings in the at least approximately comprises a sloping section running parallel to A-pillars or C-pillars of the vehicle body.

The treatment system, in particular the treatment room, is preferably adapted to an outer shape of a vertical longitudinal section of the workpieces, in particular designed to be at least approximately complementary to an outer shape of a vertical longitudinal section of the workpieces.

For example, one or both side walls of the treatment room, for example a dividing wall and/or a side wall opposite the dividing wall, and/or a top wall and/or a bottom wall of the treatment room are adapted to an external shape of a vertical longitudinal section of the workpieces, in particular at least approximately complementary to an external shape of a vertical longitudinal section of the workpieces.

An outer shape of a vertical longitudinal section is in particular a maximum outer contour of the workpieces when the workpieces are cut along a vertical longitudinal center plane.

It can be favorable if the treatment system comprises a number of rinsing modules and/or a number of circulating air modules, with each circulating air module preferably forming a heating zone and/or holding zone and/or cooling zone of the treatment room.

The treatment system preferably has a plurality of modules, in particular circulating air modules and/or rinsing modules, which follow one another in the conveying direction.

It can be advantageous if the collecting device comprises a collecting channel which is preferably arranged outside of the treatment room and into which several outlet openings open.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the collection device comprises a return channel, by means of which the circulating air gas stream or flushing gas stream discharged from the treatment chamber through several outlet openings can be guided to the blower device, to the separating device and/or to the distribution device.

The treatment system, in particular one or more circulating air modules or each circulating air module of the treatment system, preferably comprises one or more return ducts, each of which has one or more outlet openings through which a gas flow, in particular a circulating air gas flow and/or a flushing gas flow, can be discharged from the treatment space connect one or more inlet openings for supplying the circulating air gas flow and/or a flushing gas flow to the treatment chamber.

The return channels are preferably mutually independent return channels. For example, one or more air recirculation modules or all air recirculation modules each include a plurality of recirculation channels that are independent of one another.

The return channels preferably run or extend at least approximately along planes aligned perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

By means of each return channel and the at least one outlet opening and at least one inlet opening connected to one another by the respective return channel, an annular gas flow is preferably generated within a recirculation module, which preferably extends at least approximately in a plane aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Preferably, in one or more air circulation modules or in all air circulation modules, a plurality of ring gas flows that are essentially independent of one another and/or run parallel to one another are formed.

An effective main flow direction of the gas flow guided through the treatment chamber preferably encloses an angle of at least approximately 70°, for example at least approximately 80°, in particular at least approximately 85°, with the conveying direction. An undesired longitudinal flow of the gas stream along the conveying direction can thereby preferably be minimized.

It can be favorable if a blower device is assigned to a plurality of return ducts and/or annular gas flows.

For example, one or more air recirculation modules or each air recirculation module of the treatment system each comprise a blower device and several return channels and/or annular gas flows assigned to this blower device.

Provision can also be made for one or more air circulation modules or each air circulation module of the treatment system to comprise several blower devices and several return channels and/or ring gas flows, with each return channel and/or each ring gas flow being assigned a separate blower device.

One or more fan devices preferably each comprise a rotating impeller, which is in particular a fan element with air blades.

An axis of rotation of the impeller is preferably aligned at least approximately parallel or at least approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that an axis of rotation of the impeller is aligned at least approximately horizontally or at least approximately vertically.

One or more fan devices are designed in particular as a radial fan or axial fan.

A main flow direction of a gas flow, in particular a ring gas flow, in one or more return channels is preferably aligned at least approximately perpendicularly to the conveying direction and/or at least approximately horizontally.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that one or more air recirculation modules or each air recirculation module of the treatment system each comprises one or more inlet openings, one or more outlet openings and/or one or more recirculation channels, with the one or more inlet openings, the one or the a plurality of outlet openings and/or the one or more return channels are arranged together on one side of a diagonal plane diagonally dividing the treatment space and/or the treatment system.

In particular, it can be provided that the one or more inlet openings, the one or more outlet openings and/or the one or more return channels are arranged together below or above a diagonal plane dividing the treatment space and/or the treatment system diagonally.

The diagonal plane extends in particular along the conveying direction and/or along a cutting line or boundary line between a first side wall of the treatment room and a ceiling wall of the treatment room and/or along a cutting line or boundary line between a second side wall of the treatment room and a bottom wall of the treatment room, the side walls are preferably arranged opposite one another with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the treatment room.

One of the two side walls of the treatment room is preferably formed by a partition wall which separates a distribution device from the treatment room.

The cutting line or boundary line between the first side wall of the treatment room and the ceiling wall of the treatment room on the one hand and the cutting line or boundary line between the second side wall of the treatment room and the bottom wall of the treatment room on the other hand have a distance from one another in the horizontal direction which is at least approximately 40%, in particular at least approximately 60%, for example at least approximately 80%, of a total width of the treatment chamber in a transverse direction taken horizontally and perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

It can be advantageous if one or more air circulation modules or each air circulation module of the treatment system comprises outlet openings, inlet openings and/or recirculation channels that can be variably dimensioned and/or differently dimensioned and/or adjusted and/or regulated.

The outlet openings, the inlet openings and/or the return channels can preferably be variably dimensioned and/or differently dimensioned and/or adjustable and/or controllable with regard to a flow cross section.

It can be favorable if a flow direction, a flow speed and/or a volume flow of the gas flow guided through the treatment chamber can be influenced or is influenced locally by means of the outlet openings, the inlet openings and/or the return channels, for example for a selective gas suction and/or gas supply.

In particular, it can be provided that an outlet opening arranged under the workpiece has a greater than an associated one Inlet opening has reduced flow cross section, so that a flow rate increases under the workpiece.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that one or more outlet openings arranged under the workpiece are offset in the direction of the workpiece, starting from a bottom wall or side wall of the treatment chamber. For example, one or more guide channels can be provided, which protrude from the bottom wall or side wall into the treatment space and in particular enable gas to be discharged close to the workpiece.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that one or more outlet openings arranged under the workpiece are offset at least approximately in the vertical direction upwards in the direction of the workpiece, starting from a bottom wall of the treatment chamber. For example, one or more guide channels can be provided, which project upwards from the bottom wall into the treatment chamber and in particular enable gas to be discharged close to the workpiece.

One or more openings of the one or more guide channels arranged facing away from the bottom wall or side wall preferably form the one or more outlet openings.

The treatment system preferably includes a gas supply, by means of which a gas stream can be directed into an interior space of a workpiece.

A stream generally referred to as a “gas stream” can be, in particular, a circulating air gas stream, a purge gas stream, an inert gas stream, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment system comprises at least one gas supply, which comprises at least one inlet opening, by means of which a gas flow at least can be directed approximately perpendicularly to an entry plane of an entry opening of a workpiece into an interior space of the workpiece.

The entry opening is in particular an opening in which a windshield (windshield) or rear window is arranged in the assembled state of a workpiece designed as a motor vehicle.

The entry plane is in particular a plane in which a border of the entry opening extends. In the case of a three-dimensionally curved border, the entry plane is a plane in which three or more points, in particular corner points, of the border that are furthest away from the inlet opening are arranged. In the case of a mirror-symmetrical border, the border and the entrance plane preferably have a common mirror plane.

It can be favorable if a gas flow, in particular a hot gas flow, a flushing gas flow and/or a cooling gas flow, is directed through an inlet opening of a workpiece into an interior space of the workpiece, with a portion of a volume flow of the gas flow directed through the inlet opening into the interior space of the workpiece in a volume flow of a gas flow directed overall onto and/or into the workpiece is at least approximately 50%, preferably at least approximately 75%.

Provision can be made for the treatment system to include a gas discharge, by means of which a gas flow can be discharged from the treatment chamber on a side of the workpiece which is remote from a gas feed.

In particular, the treatment system preferably comprises at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening, which are arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece.

Provision can be made for the treatment system to have at least one inlet opening for supplying gas to the treatment space and at least an outlet opening for discharging gas from the treatment chamber, which is arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece, with a flow through the treatment chamber preferably being provided in such a way that at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, of the gas flowing in through this at least one inlet opening this at least one outlet opening can be removed from the treatment room.

The at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening are preferably offset relative to one another with respect to a longitudinal direction of the workpiece.

The longitudinal direction of the workpiece and the conveying direction can, for example, be aligned parallel to one another or transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to one another.

It can be advantageous if the at least one inlet opening is arranged in a front area of a workpiece or in a rear area of a workpiece, while the at least one outlet opening is preferably arranged in a rear area or in a front area of the workpiece.

It can be favorable if the treatment system comprises at least one outlet opening for discharging gas from the treatment room, which is arranged in a bottom wall or side wall or ceiling wall delimiting the treatment room.

The treatment room is preferably arranged in a housing (housing). The treatment space is preferably delimited by a bottom wall, a side wall, a further side wall or partition wall and/or a top wall of the housing.

In this description and the appended claims, drying the workpiece means, in particular, transferring a to the workpiece applied layer from a state immediately after application of the layer to a state in which the layer is long-term stable.

In particular, drying of the workpiece means removing solvent, crosslinking of the applied layer, solidification of the applied layer, etc.

It can be favorable if the treatment system comprises a number of modules, in particular circulating air modules and/or rinsing modules, which are coupled, in particular supplied, by means of a common energy module.

The energy module is in particular a so-called power module.

It can be provided that the conveyor device comprises a rotation device, by means of which a rotational alignment of the workpieces about a vertical axis of rotation can be changed.

A vertical axis of rotation is in particular an axis aligned parallel to the direction of gravity.

By means of a rotation device of the conveyor device, a rotational alignment of the workpieces can preferably be changed in such a way that the workpieces can be conveyed in a bulkier first rotational alignment, then can be brought into a less bulky second rotational alignment in order to be guided through a bottleneck. Such a constriction can in particular be a lock.

After passing through the constriction, the respective workpiece can be brought back into the bulkier first rotary orientation, preferably by means of a further rotary device.

A more cumbersome first rotational orientation is in particular a rotational orientation of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body such that a longitudinal axis of the workpiece is oriented perpendicularly to the conveying direction. A less bulky second rotational orientation is in particular a rotational orientation of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body such that the longitudinal axis of the workpiece is aligned parallel to the conveying direction.

In particular for passing through a constriction, in particular a sluice, a change in the rotational orientation can be provided by means of one or more rotation devices such that a rotation of 90° is performed once or twice or more than twice.

It can be favorable if the conveying device comprises a lifting device, by means of which the workpieces can be raised from a first level to a second level and/or lowered from the second level to the first level.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the conveyor device comprises a transfer device, by means of which the workpieces can be transferred from one conveyor section to another conveyor section, with the conveying directions in the two conveyor sections being different from one another and with a global rotational alignment of the workpieces relative to the treatment system in both conveyor sections is identical.

By means of such a transfer device, a local rotational alignment preferably varies relative to the respective conveying direction in the partial conveying sections.

For example, a conveying direction rotated by 90° can be provided while maintaining a global rotational orientation relative to the treatment system.

For example, it can be provided that a sluice is passed through in a longitudinal direction of the workpiece in order to allow a small sluice width. Actual conveyance, in particular through a treatment room, preferably takes place transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the conveyor device comprises a rotation device, by means of which a rotational orientation of the workpieces can be changed about a vertical axis of rotation, and a lifting device, by means of which the workpieces can be raised from a first level to a second level and/or from can be lowered from the second level to the first level, the rotation device and the lifting device being designed as an integrated handling device for handling the workpieces between two partial conveyor sections.

By means of the handling device, a rotation and/or a raising or lowering of one or more workpieces can thus be carried out simultaneously or one after the other.

The workpieces can preferably be conveyed by means of the conveying device along a plurality of partial conveying paths, with the partial conveying paths preferably complementing one another to form an overall conveying path.

At least two conveyor sections are preferably connected to one another by means of a lifting device and/or a rotation device and/or a transfer device.

The present invention also relates to a method for treating workpieces, for example for drying coated vehicle bodies.

In this regard, the invention is based on the object of providing a method by means of which an optimized workpiece treatment can be carried out.

• Zuführen von Werkstücken zu einem Behandlungsraum einer Behandlungsanlage; und/oder
• Hindurchführen von Werkstücken durch den Behandlungsraum; und/oder Abführen von Werkstücken aus dem Behandlungsraum.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for treating workpieces, for example for drying coated vehicle bodies, the method comprising the following:

• feeding workpieces to a treatment room of a treatment facility; and or
• passing workpieces through the treatment room; and/or removal of workpieces from the treatment room.

The method preferably has one or more of the features and/or advantages described in connection with the treatment plant.

Furthermore, the treatment plant preferably has one or more of the features and/or advantages described in connection with the method.

It can be advantageous if the workpieces are conveyed at least in sections through the treatment chamber by means of a conveying device in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the workpieces is aligned transversely, in particular substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying direction.

It can be advantageous if gas is supplied to the treatment chamber by means of at least one inlet opening and gas is discharged from the treatment chamber by means of at least one outlet opening, with the supply on the one hand and the discharge on the other preferably taking place on different sides of a vertical workpiece transverse center plane and/or a diagonal plane.

The workpieces are preferably conveyed discontinuously and/or cyclically through the treatment room.

It can be favorable if the workpieces are stopped at one or more holding positions and are flowed through, in particular flushed through, with a gas stream there.

In particular, it can be provided that the workpieces are positioned at one or more holding positions in a predetermined relative position relative to one or more inlet openings and/or one or more outlet openings in order in particular to enable a targeted flow of gas through the workpieces.

Gas is preferably supplied to the treatment chamber and/or gas is discharged from the treatment chamber continuously, in particular independently of a preferably discontinuous and/or clocked conveyance of the workpieces. Due to the discontinuous and/or clocked conveyance of the workpieces, in particular the stopping of the workpieces at one or more holding positions, a desired flow through the one or more workpieces can preferably be made possible despite a continuous gas flow, in particular without risking local overheating of the respective workpiece.

However, it can also be provided that gas is supplied to the treatment room and/or gas is discharged from the treatment room discontinuously and/or clocked, the workpieces then preferably being conveyed continuously or discontinuously and/or clocked.

In particular, it can be provided that a volume flow of the gas flow guided through the treatment chamber is reduced and/or interrupted when one or more workpieces are moved and/or arranged in intermediate positions, in particular in undesired intermediate positions are. In this way, an optimized workpiece temperature control can preferably be achieved. Furthermore, undesirable turbulence can preferably be reduced or completely avoided in this way, in particular in order to minimize or completely prevent dust or other impurities being whirled up.

An intermediate position is, for example, a position of the workpiece within the treatment space between two consecutive treatment positions of the workpiece.

An intermediate position is, in particular, a position of the workpiece within the treatment chamber in which a regular and/or unreduced supply of the gas flow would lead to undesired local overheating or cooling of the workpiece. For example, an intermediate position is a position of the workpieces in which a gas flow directed into the treatment chamber flows onto A-pillars or C-pillars of the workpieces or past the workpieces instead of into an interior space of the workpieces.

It can be advantageous if a gas flow flows through, in particular flushes through, the workpieces at least in sections or at least partially in a longitudinal direction of the workpiece.

It can be favorable if at least approximately 35%, in particular at least approximately 50%, and/or at most approximately 90%, in particular at most approximately 80%, of the gas stream flowing through the treatment chamber flows through the workpieces.

The gas flow can be in particular a heating gas flow for heating the workpieces and/or a flushing gas flow for flushing the workpieces, in particular for removing solvent, and/or a cooling gas flow for cooling the workpieces.

It can be provided that a partial gas stream flowing through the workpieces of the gas stream flowing through the treatment chamber flows through one or more inlet openings into an interior of the respective workpiece and flows out of the interior through one or more outlet openings.

An entry opening is, for example, an opening for accommodating a windshield. Several exit openings are then, for example, openings for rear side windows and/or rear windows and/or an opening for accommodating a rear window. For example, a suction device can be provided for this purpose, which is arranged at least approximately in the middle and/or centrally under a vehicle rear.

An entry opening is also, for example, an opening for accommodating a rear window. Several exit openings are then, for example, openings for front side windows and/or an opening for accommodating a windshield. For example, a suction device can be provided for this purpose, which is arranged at least approximately in the middle and/or centrally under a vehicle front.

As an alternative or in addition to the features mentioned above, it can be provided that the treatment chamber comprises at least one heating section in which the workpieces can be heated and/or kept at a temperature that is higher than the ambient temperature.

In this description and the appended claims, an ambient temperature is to be understood in particular as a temperature in the vicinity of the treatment plant, for example a hall temperature, in particular approximately 10°C to 40°C or approximately 20°C to 25°C.

It can be favorable if the treatment system includes a flushing device for flushing a flushing section of the treatment chamber with a gas stream.

The gas flow is, for example, a fresh air flow and/or an exhaust gas flow from a cooling section and/or heating section and/or an exhaust gas flow from a lock (lock gas flow) of the treatment plant.

A fresh air flow is a gas flow of fresh air. Fresh air is in particular hall air in a hall in which the treatment system is arranged and/or outside air or ambient air from an area surrounding the treatment system and/or the hall in which the treatment system is arranged.

Provision can be made for a gas stream to be guided through the treatment chamber several times, in particular to be fed to different sections of the treatment chamber in succession.

For example, a gas stream can be removed from a cooling zone and/or heating zone and/or holding zone of the treatment space and fed to a lock. A gas stream discharged from the lock can then be fed to the rinsing section of the treatment chamber, for example as a rinsing gas stream.

Provision can be made for the rinsing section of the treatment chamber to be arranged behind at least one heating section of the treatment chamber with respect to the conveying direction.

In particular, it can be provided that the rinsing section of the treatment chamber is arranged directly after at least one heating section of the treatment chamber with respect to the conveying direction.

It can be advantageous if the rinsing section of the treatment chamber is arranged between at least two heating sections of the treatment chamber with respect to the conveying direction.

The treatment room preferably comprises at least one heating section, at least one cooling section for cooling the workpieces and at least one rinsing section.

At least one flushing section is preferably arranged between the at least one heating section and the at least one cooling section with respect to the conveying direction.

It can be favorable if the heating section, the rinsing section and/or the cooling section can be selectively separated from one another and connected to one another in a fluid-effective manner by means of one or more separating elements.

A separating element is in particular a mechanical separating element, for example a gate. Furthermore, a separating element can be, for example, a fluidic separating element, in particular an airlock.

It can be favorable if the treatment system comprises a gas duct, by means of which the gas flow fed to a rinsing section of the treatment chamber can be fed to at least one heating section of the treatment chamber after flowing through the rinsing section.

In particular, the gas stream supplied to a scavenging section of the treatment chamber can be supplied to several, in particular two, heating sections of the treatment chamber after flowing through the scavenging section.

The gas flow can preferably be divided after it has flowed through the flushing section, so that a partial gas flow can be supplied in each case in the respective heating section of the treatment chamber.

It can be advantageous if the gas flow fed to a rinsing section of the treatment chamber can be fed to at least one heating section of the treatment chamber at an end of the heating section remote from a rinsing section after flowing through the rinsing section.

For example, it can be provided that the gas flow fed to a rinsing section of the treatment chamber can be fed after flowing through the rinsing section to two or more heating sections of the treatment chamber at the end of the respective heating section remote from the rinsing section. The gas flow then preferably flows through the respective heating section from an end of the heating section facing away from the scavenging section to an end of the heating section facing towards the scavenging section.

It can be advantageous if the treatment system comprises a rinsing device, by means of which a heated gas flow can be supplied to a rinsing section of the treatment chamber. A heated gas flow is to be understood in particular as a gas flow at a temperature that is higher than the ambient temperature.

A heated gas stream can be, for example, a gas stream discharged from a cooling section of the treatment plant.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that the treatment system, in particular the flushing device, for example a flushing module, includes a heating device for heating the gas flow. The heating device can, for example, comprise an exhaust gas cleaning device, in particular a regenerative thermal oxidation system. Furthermore, waste heat from the treatment plant can be used to heat the gas stream.

It can be favorable if a heating section comprises at least one heating zone for heating the workpieces and/or at least one holding zone in which an elevated temperature of the workpieces can be maintained.

Each heating zone and/or each holding zone preferably comprises one or more circulating air modules for circulating the gas stream conducted in the respective heating zone and/or holding zone.

In particular, a heating section comprises a plurality of heating zones and/or a plurality of holding zones, each of which preferably comprises one or more air circulation modules.

It can be provided that a heating section comprises at least one heating zone for heating the workpieces and/or at least one holding zone in which an elevated temperature of the workpieces can be maintained, with each heating zone and/or each holding zone preferably having a separate heating device and/or a separate Heat exchanger for heating the gas stream conducted in the respective heating zone and/or holding zone.

It can be favorable if the treatment system comprises at least one heating section, at least one rinsing section and at least one cooling section, with the at least one heating section and/or the at least one rinsing section being arranged above the at least one cooling section with respect to the direction of gravity.

It can be favorable if a heating section and/or a rinsing section of the treatment system are arranged completely above the cooling section.

The treatment system can, for example, comprise a lifting device, by means of which the workpieces can be raised to a level of the heating section and/or the rinsing section and/or lowered to a level of the cooling section.

The lifting device can, for example, form or comprise a lock and/or a rinsing section of the treatment plant. A lock space or flushing space that can be separated from the heating section and/or the cooling section is then preferably delimited and/or sealed by a base plate of the lifting device and/or a lateral partition wall. the lateral partition wall preferably separates the lock space from the heating section. The base plate preferably separates the lock space from the cooling section.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment system comprises at least one gas supply, by means of which a gas flow can be directed at least approximately perpendicularly to an entry plane of an entry opening of a workpiece into an interior space of the workpiece.

The entry opening is in particular an access to the interior, for example an opening in a workpiece designed as a vehicle body, the opening serving for example to accommodate a windshield or rear window.

The workpieces can preferably be picked up by the conveyor device and conveyed through at least one heating section, at least one rinsing section and/or at least one cooling section of the treatment chamber in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the workpieces is aligned transversely, in particular essentially perpendicularly, to the conveying direction.

In particular, a vehicle longitudinal axis of workpieces designed as vehicle bodies is aligned transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the conveying direction.

The treatment system is preferably a dryer system for drying vehicle bodies.

In particular, to enable energy-efficient operation of the treatment system, it can be provided that a waste gas flow from a cooling section of the treatment system is used as the flushing gas flow. In this way, a heated or heated purge gas stream can be used in an energy-efficient manner be provided because the gas passed through the cooling section absorbs heat from the workpieces to be cooled.

A lock (gas lock) is preferably a section of the treatment plant that is different from a flushing section.

A lock gas stream preferably flows through a lock.

The lock gas flow preferably flows through the lock at least approximately in the direction of gravity from top to bottom or from bottom to top.

The lock gas flow preferably encloses an angle of at least approximately 30°, in particular at least approximately 40°, for example approximately 50°, with the horizontal. As an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that the lock gas flow preferably encloses an angle of approximately 90°, in particular at most approximately 75°, for example at most approximately 60°, with the horizontal.

The sluice gas flow is preferably discharged and/or sucked off from the sluice in a bottom area of the sluice.

Preferably, a lock gas flow guided through the lock is further used after flowing through the lock, in particular fed as a flushing gas flow to a flushing section of the treatment plant.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a sluice gas flow for a sluice after flowing through the sluice is fed to the workpieces as a flushing gas flow and passed through them.

The flushing gas flow supplied to the workpieces preferably comprises at least approximately 30%, in particular at least approximately 40%, for example at least approximately 50%, lock gas of the lock gas flow.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the flushing gas flow supplied to the workpieces preferably comprises at most approximately 80%, in particular at most approximately 70%, lock gas of the lock gas flow. The lock gas flow is preferably at least partially or completely a fresh air flow and/or a gas flow discharged from a heating section or cooling section of the treatment plant.

The workpieces are preferably first passed through at least one heating section of the treatment chamber and then flushed with a stream of flushing gas. After rinsing, the workpieces are preferably fed to at least one further heating section of the treatment room and/or at least one cooling section of the treatment room.

For example, provision can be made for the workpieces, after being flushed, to first be fed to a further heating section and then to a cooling section, or else to the cooling section directly after flushing.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a rinsing section and at least one heating section and/or at least one cooling section are fluidly separated from one another by means of one or more separating elements in order to carry out a rinsing process.

In particular, clocked operation of a rinsing device and/or the conveyor device is provided here, so that the workpieces can be fed to the rinsing section one after the other, preferably individually or in discrete groups.

It can be advantageous if a gas flow, in particular a heated gas flow (hot gas flow), a flushing gas flow and/or a cooling gas flow, is directed into an interior space of the workpiece in a direction essentially perpendicular to an inlet opening of a workpiece.

A workpiece interior, in particular a body interior, can preferably be flushed by means of the flushing device. Solvent and/or other highly volatile coating components, sealing components and/or adhesive components escaping from a workpiece can thereby preferably be removed from the interior of the workpiece.

Workpieces of different types and/or sizes can preferably be conveyed through the treatment chamber by means of the conveying device.

At least one inlet opening for supplying gas to the treatment chamber preferably includes a nozzle or is formed by a nozzle.

It can be favorable if at least one inlet opening for supplying gas to the treatment chamber includes a jet nozzle or is formed by a jet nozzle.

A long-distance nozzle preferably comprises a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet, the nozzle outlet preferably having a larger cross-sectional area than the nozzle inlet and/or a continuously widening, in particular continuously increasing, gas routing section being preferably provided between the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet.

It can be advantageous if the jet nozzle includes a flow influencing element, for example in the form of a central body.

The central body is preferably centered with respect to a perpendicular to Direction of flow aligned in the nozzle plane arranged in the region of the nozzle outlet of the nozzle.

For example, the central body is essentially conical and widens along the direction of flow.

The nozzle and/or the central body are preferably designed and/or arranged rotationally symmetrical about a common axis of rotation.

Other preferred features of a long-range nozzle are, for example, in WO 2014/063797 A1 mentioned, the entire description of which is hereby made part of the present invention by reference.

A nozzle can have, for example, a rectangular, round, oval or oblong cross-sectional shape.

The nozzle is preferably arranged on a wall, in particular a partition wall, side wall, bottom wall and/or ceiling wall, of a housing delimiting the treatment chamber so that it can be adjusted with regard to its position and/or alignment. For example, flat metal sheets and/or elongated holes can be provided in the respective wall in order to be able to adjust the position and/or orientation of the at least one nozzle.

It can be favorable if one or more inlet openings can be closed by means of cover elements, in particular flaps.

A more uniform heating and/or a more uniform cooling of the workpieces preferably results from turbulent flow in the respective interior space of the workpiece.

It can be advantageous if sensitive workpiece areas, for example areas of thin sheet metal (in particular in the roof area of a vehicle body), are not exposed to the hot gas flow or at least reduced.

There is preferably a reduced inflow onto the conveying device, as a result of which less dirt can be discharged from a conveying chain of the conveying device or from another conveying element of the conveying device.

It can be favorable if a flow path between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening is shortened, which can result in an improved dryer balance.

Targeted local suction (removal of the gas flow through one or more outlet openings) can preferably be used to obtain locally increased flow speeds in order to achieve a preferred flow onto the workpieces.

The flushing device and/or a sluice can, for example, comprise one or more separating elements, which are formed by a swing gate, a roller gate or a lifting gate. Provision can be made for a separating element to be arranged in front of and/or behind the workpiece to be treated with respect to the conveying direction in order to enclose it during the rinsing process and/or passage through the lock.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that there is no mechanical separation (mechanical separation element) from the heating section. For example, a last module, which forms a heating zone or holding zone, is designed as a rinsing module. Such a scavenging module can be operated in particular in the fresh air/exhaust air mode.

A gas in a cooling section of the treatment device is preferably solvent-free. An exhaust gas flow discharged from the cooling section can thus preferably be reused in the treatment plant, for example as a gas flow to be fed to a heating section and/or scavenging section.

It can be favorable if the conveyor device comprises a chain conveyor.

A conveyor chain is preferably integrated, in particular embedded, in a floor of the housing surrounding the treatment room.

The workpieces are arranged and/or received on the conveying device, for example by means of a respective skid.

It can be advantageous if a skid for receiving one or more workpieces can be arranged on and conveyed by the conveying device in such a way that longitudinal axes of skid runners of the skid are aligned essentially parallel to the conveying direction.

As an alternative to this, it can also be provided that a skid for receiving one or more workpieces can be arranged on and conveyed by the conveyor device such that longitudinal axes of skid runners of the skid are aligned transversely, in particular essentially perpendicularly, to the conveying direction.

It can be favorable if one or more workpieces can be arranged on a skid and picked up by means of the skid on the conveyor device and/or can be conveyed by means of the conveyor device in such a way that a workpiece longitudinal axis is parallel or transverse, in particular essentially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axes of the skid runners of the skid and / or is aligned parallel or transverse, in particular essentially perpendicular, to the conveying direction.

A lower edge of a skid is preferably at or just above a floor level of the treatment room.

It can be favorable if the conveying device is a combination of a skid conveying device and a skidless conveying device.

However, only a skid conveying device or a conveying device without skids can also be provided.

If both a skid conveyor device and a skidless conveyor device are provided, it can be provided that the treatment system includes a transfer device for transferring the workpieces from a skid to a skidless conveyor device.

It can be favorable if the treatment system comprises one or more dummy modules which form sections of the treatment room but are neither heated nor provided with inlet openings or outlet openings. In this way, in particular, the heat can be evened out.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment system includes a central or superordinate heating device.

In particular, it can be provided that several circulating air units and/or flushing gas units are thermally coupled to the heating device. For example, a hot gas line can be provided, by means of which hot gas (heated gas) can be fed from the heating device to the circulating air units and/or flushing gas units.

One or more circulating air units and/or one or more flushing gas units preferably each comprise one or more heat exchangers, to which on the one hand a gas flow to be fed to the treatment chamber and on the other hand a hot gas flow, in particular a hot gas flow originating from the heating device, can be fed.

A gas stream to be supplied to the treatment chamber can preferably be heated indirectly by means of the one or more heat exchangers.

The heating device can be, for example, a thermal exhaust gas cleaning device, in particular for cleaning exhaust gas discharged from the treatment chamber.

By means of suitable valves and/or flaps, a desired heating effect in the individual circulating air units and/or scavenging gas units can preferably be specifically adjusted, in particular controlled and/or regulated.

• einen Behandlungsraum, welcher mehrere Behandlungsraumabschnitte umfasst, die jeweils einem von mehreren separaten Umluftmodulen der Behandlungsanlage zugeordnet sind;
• eine Heizanlage, welche vorzugsweise eine in sich geschlossene Heizgasführung umfasst, wobei mehrere Umluftmodule mit der Heizgasführung gekoppelt sind, insbesondere zum Erhitzen des durch die Behandlungsraumabschnitte geführten Gases.

The treatment facility preferably further comprises:

• a treatment room, which comprises a plurality of treatment room sections, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of separate air circulation modules of the treatment system;
• a heating system, which preferably comprises a self-contained heating gas duct, with several air circulation modules being coupled to the heating gas duct, in particular for heating the gas guided through the treatment room sections.

Due to the fact that the treatment system preferably comprises a heating system with a self-contained heating gas duct, which is coupled to the air circulation modules, the gas to be supplied to the treatment room sections can be heated easily and efficiently. As a result, the treatment plant can preferably be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

The hot gas duct is preferably designed to be closed in the form of a ring, so that at least a partial gas flow of a hot gas flow guided in the hot gas duct flows through the hot gas duct several times.

The heating gas is preferably raw gas and/or clean gas, which is suitable and/or provided for use in the treatment room, ie for flowing through the treatment room.

The heating gas preferably has a higher temperature than the gas flow in the air circulation modules and/or treatment room sections, at least directly upstream of the treatment room sections.

The heating gas is preferably not an exhaust gas from a heating device of the heating system, in particular not a combustion exhaust gas.

A “self-contained heating gas duct” is to be understood in particular as a heating gas duct in which at least part of a heating gas stream is circulated. Irrespective of this, a continuous or phased supply of fresh gas to the heating gas flow and/or removal of heating gas from the heating gas flow can preferably also be provided in the case of a closed heating gas duct.

It can be favorable if a supply of fresh gas and a discharge of heating gas, i.e. an exchange of heating gas, are preferably dimensioned such that at least 40%, preferably at least approximately 50%, in particular at least approximately 80%, for example at least approximately 90%, of the heating gas flow flowing past a specific point of the heating gas guide arrive at this point again after it has passed through completely.

The supply of fresh gas and/or the removal of heating gas from the heating gas flow preferably takes place exclusively in the treatment room sections and/or the circulating air modules of the treatment system.

However, it can also be provided that the heating system is assigned a fresh gas supply and/or exhaust gas discharge, by means of which fresh gas can be supplied outside the treatment room sections and/or outside the air circulation modules or heating gas can be discharged from the heating gas flow.

The circulating air modules and/or the treatment room sections are preferably part of the heating gas duct.

In particular, the heating gas can preferably be passed through the treatment room sections at least partially several times before it flows (again) through the part of the heating gas duct lying outside the air circulation modules and/or outside the treatment room sections.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the heating gas duct comprises a circulating air duct which is formed in sections by several parallel arranged circulating air modules and/or treatment room sections.

In the circulating air modules and/or treatment room sections, a gas stream can preferably be guided in a circulating air circuit, to which heating gas can be supplied from the heating gas duct. A partial gas flow of the circulated gas flow of each air circulation module and/or treatment room section can preferably be removed from the air circulation module and/or the treatment room section, guided in a closed circuit by means of the heating gas duct and finally fed back to one or more air circulation modules and/or treatment room sections as part of the heating gas flow .

Heat can be supplied to the individual circulating air units and/or flushing gas units preferably directly, in particular by the direct supply of heating gas, or indirectly, in particular by heat transfer from a heating gas or hot gas to the gas flow to be supplied to the treatment chamber.

The heating gas can be thermally coupled with a hot gas of the heating device, in particular an exhaust gas of the heating device, for example by means of a heat exchanger, in order to transfer heat from the hot gas, in particular the exhaust gas of the heating device, to the heating gas.

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

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung der Funktionsweise einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Behandlungsanlage zum Behandeln von Werkstücken;

Fig. 2

eine schematische perspektivische teilweise geschnittene Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Behandlungsanlage;

Fig. 3

eine weitere schematische perspektivische Schnittdarstellung der Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine weitere schematische perspektivische Schnittdarstellung der Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch die Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

einen schrägen Schnitt durch die Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 7

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch mehrere Module der Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 8

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch die Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2, wobei ein Werkstück in einem Behandlungsraum der Behandlungsanlage angeordnet ist;

Fig. 9

eine der Fig. 8 entsprechende schematische Darstellung der Behandlungsanlage aus Fig. 2, wobei ein anders geformtes und/oder dimensioniertes Werkstück in dem Behandlungsraum angeordnet ist;

Fig. 10

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung von Einlassöffnungen und einer Auslassöffnung der Behandlungsanlage sowie eines zu behandelnden Werkstücks;

Fig. 11

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, bei welcher eine Querförderung und eine Gaszufuhr durch eine Deckenwand vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 12

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, bei welcher eine Querförderung und eine Gaszuführung durch eine vertikale Seitenwand vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 13

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und eine Gaszuführung durch eine konturangepasste Trennwand vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 14

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und eine horizontale Gaszuführung zu einem unteren Vorderbereich des Werkstücks vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 15

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und drei Einlassöffnungen zur Gaszuführung durch eine Bodenwand der Behandlungsanlage vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 16

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und eine Gasabführung über eine in der Bodenwand angeordnete Auslassöffnung vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 17

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und eine Gasabführung über eine in einer Seitenwand angeordnete Auslassöffnung vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 18

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und eine längs der Förderrichtung erfolgende seitliche Gasabführung vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 19

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Querförderung und eine Gaszuführung sowie eine Gasabführung derart vorgesehen sind, dass eine im Wesentlichen diagonale Durchströmung des Behandlungsraums erfolgt;

Fig. 20

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Längsförderung und eine Gaszuführung gemäß der Ausführungsform in Fig. 11 vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 21

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Längsförderung und eine Gaszuführung gemäß der in Fig. 15 dargestellten Ausführungsform vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 22

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Längsförderung und eine Gasabführung gemäß der in Fig. 16 dargestellten Ausführungsform vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 23

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Längsförderung und eine senkrecht zur Förderrichtung gerichtete seitliche Gasabführung vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 24

einen schematischen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine Behandlungsanlage, wobei eine Längsförderung und eine Gaszuführung gemäß der in Fig. 19 dargestellten Ausführungsform vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 25

eine schematische perspektivische teiltransparente Darstellung einer kaskadierten Gasführung;

Fig. 26

eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Gasführung der Behandlungsanlage;

Fig. 27

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Gasführung der Behandlungsanlage;

Fig. 28

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Fördervorrichtung, welche eine Umsetzvorrichtung umfasst;

Fig. 29

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Fördervorrichtung, bei welcher zwei Umsetzvorrichtungen vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 30

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Fördervorrichtung, bei welcher zwei Rotationsvorrichtungen vorgesehen sind;

Fig. 31

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Fördervorrichtung, bei welcher eine Rotationsvorrichtung, eine Hebevorrichtung und eine Umsetzvorrichtung vorgesehen sind; und

Fig. 32

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere alternative Ausführungsform einer Fördervorrichtung, bei welcher eine in einem Behandlungsraum angeordnete Rotationsvorrichtung vorgesehen ist.

In the drawings show:

1

a schematic representation of the functioning of a first embodiment of a treatment system for treating workpieces;

2

a schematic perspective partially sectioned representation of a second embodiment of a treatment plant;

3

a further schematic perspective sectional view of the treatment plant 2 ;

4

a further schematic perspective sectional view of the treatment plant 2 ;

figure 5

a horizontal section through the treatment plant 2 ;

6

an oblique section through the treatment plant 2 ;

7

a horizontal section through several modules of the treatment plant 2 ;

8

a schematic vertical section through the treatment plant 2 wherein a workpiece is placed in a treatment room of the treatment facility;

9

one of the 8 corresponding schematic representation of the treatment plant 2 , being a differently shaped and/or dimensioned workpiece is arranged in the treatment room;

10

a schematic perspective view of inlet openings and an outlet opening of the treatment system and a workpiece to be treated;

11

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant in which a transverse promotion and a gas supply are provided through a ceiling wall;

12

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, in which a transverse promotion and a gas supply are provided by a vertical side wall;

13

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse promotion and a gas supply are provided by a contour-matched partition;

14

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse conveyor and a horizontal gas supply to a lower front area of the workpiece are provided;

15

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse conveyor and three inlet openings for gas supply are provided through a bottom wall of the treatment plant;

16

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse promotion and a gas discharge are provided via an outlet opening arranged in the bottom wall;

17

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse promotion and a gas discharge are provided via an outlet opening arranged in a side wall;

18

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse conveyance and a lateral gas discharge taking place along the conveying direction are provided;

19

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a transverse promotion and a gas supply and a gas discharge are provided such that a substantially diagonal flow through the treatment room takes place;

20

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a longitudinal promotion and a gas supply according to the embodiment in 11 are provided;

21

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a longitudinal promotion and a gas supply according to in 15 illustrated embodiment are provided;

22

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a longitudinal promotion and a gas discharge according to in 16 illustrated embodiment are provided;

23

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a longitudinal conveyor and a directed perpendicular to the conveying direction lateral gas discharge are provided;

24

a schematic vertical section through a treatment plant, wherein a longitudinal promotion and a gas supply according to in 19 illustrated embodiment are provided;

25

a schematic perspective partially transparent representation of a cascaded gas flow;

26

a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a gas flow of the treatment plant;

27

a schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of a gas flow of the treatment plant;

28

a schematic plan view of a conveyor device, which comprises a transfer device;

29

a schematic plan view of a conveyor device, in which two transfer devices are provided;

30

a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a conveyor device, in which two rotation devices are provided;

31

a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a conveyor device, in which a rotating device, a lifting device and a transfer device are provided; and

32

a schematic plan view of a further alternative embodiment of a conveyor device, in which a arranged in a treatment room rotation device is provided.

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

one inside 1 The illustrated embodiment of a treatment system designated as a whole by 100 is, for example, a dryer system 102 for drying coated workpieces 104.

The workpieces 104 are, for example, vehicle bodies 106. The coating is, for example, a paint finish.

The treatment system 100 includes a housing 108 which surrounds a treatment room 110 .

The treatment room 110 is used to hold one or more workpieces 104.

In particular, the workpieces 104 can be conveyed through the treatment chamber 110 in a conveying direction 112 .

For this purpose, the treatment system 100 comprises in particular a conveyor device 114, for example a chain conveyor.

The workpieces 104 can preferably be arranged on the conveying device 114 by means of a skid or else without a skid and can be moved with the latter along the conveying direction 112 .

The housing 108 comprises two lateral side walls 116 with respect to the conveying direction 112, a bottom wall 120 arranged at the bottom with respect to a direction of gravity 118 and a top wall 122 arranged at the top with respect to the direction of gravity 118.

The housing 108 is in particular essentially cuboid in shape.

A gas stream can preferably be supplied to the treatment space 110 for efficient treatment of the workpiece 104 .

For this purpose, the treatment system 100 includes a gas supply 124.

The gas supply 124 preferably comprises a plurality of inlet openings 126 which are arranged, for example, in a side wall 116 or a partition wall 128 of the housing 108 which is still to be described.

Furthermore, the treatment system 100 preferably includes a gas discharge 130 which, in particular, includes a plurality of outlet openings 132 .

The outlet openings 132 can be arranged in a side wall 116 and/or in the bottom wall 120, for example.

However, in other embodiments, the inlet openings 126 and the outlet openings 132 may be positioned differently. For example, an arrangement of inlet openings 126 and/or outlet openings 132 can also be provided in the top wall 122 .

In terms of an optimal flow of the gas stream through the workpieces 104, the inlet openings 126 on the one hand and the outlet openings 132 on the other hand are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece 104.

In particular, the inlet openings 126 on the one hand and the outlet openings 132 on the other hand are arranged on opposite sides of a workpiece transverse center plane 134, a vertical longitudinal center plane 136 of the treatment room 110 and/or a diagonal plane 138 of the treatment room 110.

The workpiece transverse center plane 134 is in particular a plane which is aligned perpendicular to a workpiece longitudinal direction 140 and through a geometric center point or center of gravity of the workpiece 104 that is arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece.

The workpiece longitudinal direction 140 is in particular a vehicle longitudinal direction along which a vehicle encompassing the vehicle body 106 travels in a straight line.

The vertical longitudinal center plane 136 of the treatment chamber 110 is preferably a plane which runs parallel to the conveying direction 112 and along the direction of gravity 118 . The vertical longitudinal center plane 136 preferably cuts the treatment room 110 into two half-rooms 142 of equal size. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the vertical longitudinal center plane 136 runs through a geometric center of the treatment room 110, in particular in relation to a maximum or average horizontal transverse extent of the treatment room 110 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 112 and horizontal.

The treatment system 100 preferably comprises a housing 108, the interior space 144 of which is divided into two. In particular, the interior space 144 is divided by the partition wall 128 into the treatment space 110 on the one hand and a distribution space 146 of a distribution device 148 of the treatment system 100 on the other hand.

The partition wall 128 preferably runs parallel to the conveying direction 112 and is preferably adapted to a contour of the workpiece 104 at least in sections.

In particular, the partition wall 128 includes a vertical section 150 which extends in the vertical direction 118 in front of a vehicle front 152 of the workpiece 104 designed as a vehicle body 106 .

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the partition wall 128 comprises a horizontal section 154 which is substantially extends horizontally and at least approximately along a front hood 156 of workpiece 104 embodied as vehicle body 106 .

Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that partition wall 128 includes an inclined section 158 which is oriented obliquely to direction of gravity 118 and runs at least approximately parallel to an A-pillar 160 of workpiece 104 embodied as vehicle body 106 .

In an alternative configuration of the treatment system 100, a partition wall 128 can also be provided in such a way that it is adapted to the contour of a vehicle rear end 162 of the workpiece 104 designed as a vehicle body 106.

In particular, the vertical section 150 of the partition wall 128 then runs in the vertical direction along the rear end of the vehicle 162.

Furthermore, it can then be provided that the horizontal section 154 of the partition wall 128 extends at least approximately along a rear hood 164 of the workpiece 104 embodied as the vehicle body 106 .

In addition, it can be provided that the inclined section 158 of the partition wall 128 then runs essentially parallel to a C-pillar 166 of the workpiece 104 embodied as the vehicle body 106 .

By means of the gas supply line 124 and the gas discharge line 130 , a gas flow can flow through the treatment chamber 110 , preferably essentially diagonally and transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the conveying direction 112 .

The inlet openings 126 and the outlet openings 132 are preferably arranged in such a way that the gas stream flows through a workpiece interior 168, preferably at least in sections along the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece.

For this purpose, an inlet opening 126 is provided in the inclined section 158 of the partition wall 128 in such a way that the gas flow flowing through this inlet opening 126 into the treatment chamber 110 is directed into an inlet opening 170 of the workpiece 104 .

The inlet opening 170 is in particular an opening arranged between two A-pillars 160 of the workpiece 104 embodied as a vehicle body 106 for the arrangement of a windscreen.

As an alternative to this, an inlet opening 170 can also be provided between two C-pillars 166 and/or D-pillars (not shown).

In particular, a gas flow can thus be directed directly into the workpiece interior 168 by means of the inlet openings 126 .

One or more inlet openings 126 arranged in the vertical section 150 are preferably used to supply the gas flow to the front of the vehicle 152 in a substantially horizontal direction.

One or more outlet openings 172 of the workpiece 104 are preferably arranged in the area of the rear end 162 of the vehicle.

The one or more outlet openings 132 are preferably arranged in the areas of the side wall 116 and/or the base wall 120 close to the vehicle rear end 162 in order to be able to discharge a gas flow in a targeted manner through the one or more outlet openings 172 from the workpiece 104.

The workpiece 104, in particular the vehicle body 106, can thus preferably be flowed through with a gas flow in the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece from the front to the rear.

Alternatively, however, an opposite flow can also be provided.

The selected flow through the workpiece 104 can preferably prevent the workpiece 104, in particular the vehicle body 106, from being excessively heated in a roof area 174 in an undesired manner. In addition, a uniform supply of heat to the workpiece 104 can preferably be brought about in this way.

The actual supply of heat takes place in particular through the transfer of heat from the supplied gas stream to the workpiece 104.

The gas flow is therefore in particular a heated gas flow when it is supplied to the treatment chamber 110 via the inlet openings 126 .

To provide the gas flow, the treatment system 100 preferably comprises a fan device 176, a heating device 178, a separator device 180 and/or one or more valves 182.

In particular, the gas flow can be driven by means of the blower device 176 .

The gas flow can preferably be heated directly or indirectly by means of the heating device 178 . In particular, the heating device 178 can comprise a thermal emission control device, a regenerative thermal oxidizer, an auxiliary burner, a micro gas turbine and/or another combustion device.

The separating device 180 is preferably used to remove impurities from the gas stream, in particular to prevent the coated workpiece 104 from being exposed to unwanted impurities.

The separating device 180 is a filter device, for example.

The one or more valves 182 are preferably used for the selective supply of fresh air, the removal of exhaust air and/or the complete or partial recirculation of air.

In this specification and the appended claims, the term "air" is not necessarily used to denote the atmospheric nitrogen-oxygen mixture. Rather, any gas can generally be provided. In particular, the term "recirculating air" preferably denotes only the routing of a gas stream in a closed circuit.

Treatment system 100 preferably includes a valve 182 designed as a supply valve 184.

A flow of fresh air can preferably be supplied by means of the supply valve 184 .

Furthermore, a discharge valve 186 can preferably be provided. In particular, the gas flow can be discharged and/or discharged to the environment by means of the discharge valve 186 .

By means of a valve 182 embodied as an air recirculation valve 188, the gas stream can preferably be circulated. In particular, a predetermined quantity of gas can then be passed through the treatment chamber 110 several times.

By suitably positioning the valves 182 , a regular gas supply and regular gas discharge can also be provided in order to always replace at least part of the gas passed through the treatment chamber 110 . In particular, an undesirably high pollutant concentration can be avoided in this way.

Efficient gas routing is possible in particular if the partial gas flows discharged via the outlet openings 132 are brought together, for example by means of a collecting device 190, in particular a collecting channel 192, and then carried on together.

The collecting channel 192 can in particular also be a discharge channel 194 .

By means of a return duct 195, the combined partial gas streams can preferably be conveyed further together, in particular can be fed to the discharge valve 186 and discharged to the environment or, in particular via the blower device 176, fed back to the treatment chamber 110.

The 1 shown part of the treatment system 100 a recirculation module 196.

If, on the other hand, essentially only fresh air or fresh gas is supplied to the treatment chamber 110, the in 1 shown part of the treatment system 100 preferably a rinsing module 198.

In the 1 The treatment system 100 shown works in particular as follows:
A gas flow is introduced into the distribution chamber 146 by means of the blower device 176 and fed to the inlet openings 126 there.

The gas flow then enters the treatment chamber 110 via the inlet openings 126.

The inlet openings 126 are, for example, arranged and/or designed in such a way that the gas flow is, for example, in the form of a plurality of partial gas flows can flow into the workpiece interior 168 of the workpiece 104 in a targeted manner.

The gas stream then flows through the workpiece interior 168 at least approximately along the workpiece longitudinal direction 140 and is then discharged from the treatment chamber 110 via the outlet openings 132 .

Flowing through the workpieces 104 in this way can, in particular, enable a uniform heat transfer from the gas flow to the one or more workpieces 104 . Overheated areas and overly cool areas of the respective workpiece 104 can preferably be avoided in this way.

How out 1 shows, the workpieces 104 are guided through the treatment chamber 110 in the conveying direction 112 , in particular in such a way that the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction 112 .

A clocked conveyance of the workpieces 104 is preferably provided, so that they are stopped at regular intervals in preferred holding positions relative to the inlet openings 126 and outlet openings 132 .

In this way, the preferred flow or flushing through of the workpieces 104 can be ensured, particularly in the case of a continuously maintained gas flow.

one in the Figures 2 to 10 The second embodiment of a treatment system 100 shown corresponds essentially to the treatment system 100 in accordance with FIG 1 illustrated first embodiment.

How in particular 7 As can be seen, the treatment system 100 comprises a plurality of modules, for example circulating air modules 196, which are arranged one after the other along the conveying direction 112.

In this case, for example, three circulating air modules 196 are provided, each of which forms a heating zone 200 of the treatment room 110 . For example, three further air circulation modules 196 form, for example, three holding zones 202 of the treatment room 110. Furthermore, cooling zones (not shown) can be formed by further air circulation modules 196.

A heating zone 200 serves in particular to supply heat to the workpiece 104 in such a way that it heats up.

Heat is preferably supplied in the holding zone 202 in such a way that an already existing temperature of the workpiece 104 is kept constant.

The heating zones 200 and the holding zones 202 together preferably form a heating section 204 of the treatment room 110.

A large part of the conversion process of the coating of the workpiece 104 preferably takes place in this heating section 204 in order to convert the coating into the long-term stable state. In particular, crosslinking of paint and/or evaporation of solvents takes place here.

As 7 , each module, in particular each air recirculation module 196, preferably includes a separate air recirculation unit 206 for driving a flow of recirculated air gas in the respective air recirculation module 196.

Each air recirculation unit 206 preferably comprises a fan device 176, a heating device 178, a separating device 180 and/or one or more valves 182, in particular a supply valve 184, a discharge valve 186 and/or an air recirculation valve 188.

The air circulation unit 206 is docked in particular to a side wall 116 of the housing 108 of the treatment system 100, in particular of the respective air circulation module 196. A side wall 116 of the housing 108 preferably also forms a side wall 116 of the respective air recirculation unit 206. Simple passage openings in the side wall 116 are then preferably sufficient to establish a fluid connection between the respective air recirculation unit 206 and the associated section of the treatment room 110 and/or the respective distribution room 146 to produce.

By using a plurality of modules, in particular circulating air modules 196, and/or a plurality of separate circulating air units 206, a simple modular design of the treatment system 100 can preferably be made possible. Furthermore, an efficient operation of the treatment system 100 is preferably possible as a result.

Like the one in particular Figures 4 to 7 As can be seen, the heating device 178 can be a central heating device 178, for example, in which a plurality of heat exchangers 179 are used for heat transfer in the individual air circulation modules 196, while the actual heat generation (heat output) takes place in a central heating device 178, for example a thermal exhaust gas cleaning device 181.

The circulating air units 206 can then be connected, for example, by means of a hot gas line 183 (see 4 ) are connected to each other and to the thermal exhaust gas cleaning device 181, so that hot gas generated in the thermal exhaust gas cleaning device 181 can be fed to the individual heat exchangers 179 in the air circulation units 206 in a targeted manner, in particular in a controlled and/or regulated manner.

The hot gas generated in thermal exhaust gas cleaning device 181 is, in particular, exhaust gas from thermal exhaust gas cleaning device 181.

This exhaust gas is in particular a cleaned exhaust gas, which is therefore also referred to as clean gas.

The hot gas line 183 is therefore in particular also a clean gas line 185.

The gas to be supplied to the treatment chamber 110 can preferably be heated indirectly by means of the heat exchanger 179 .

Like the one in particular Figures 8 to 10 can be seen, it can be provided, for example, that the workpieces 104 are each held by means of a skid 208 .

The treatment system 100 is preferably suitable for the selective treatment of workpieces 104 of different types and/or sizes (see in particular the 8 and 9 ).

By suitably positioning and/or conveying the workpieces 104, a uniform flow of the gas flow can preferably be ensured even with different workpieces 104.

In particular, the workpieces 104 can preferably always be positioned in such a way that the inlet openings 126 arranged in the inclined section 158 of the partition wall 128 are always directed through an inlet opening 170 into the interior space 168 of the workpiece.

Incidentally, the correct in the Figures 2 to 10 illustrated embodiment of a treatment system 100 in terms of structure and function with the in 1 illustrated embodiment match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

In the Figures 11 to 24 are different embodiments of treatment systems 100 shown, which are essentially only in terms of the arrangement of the inlet openings 126, the outlet openings 132, the partition 128 and/or the conveyor device 114 differ from one another and from the above embodiments.

For the essential structure in the Figures 11 to 24 illustrated embodiments of treatment plants 100 is therefore referred to the above statements.

In the Figures 11 to 19 Embodiments of treatment plants 100 are shown, in which a transverse conveyance is provided. In the case of such a transverse conveyance, in particular conveyance by means of the conveying device 114 is provided in such a way that the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece is aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the conveying direction 112 .

In the embodiments according to Figures 20 to 24 however, a longitudinal promotion is provided. With such a longitudinal conveyance, the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece is aligned parallel to the conveying direction 112 .

the Figures 11 to 15 , 20 and 21 show different variants for supplying a gas flow to the treatment chamber 110.

the Figures 16 to 18 , 22 and 23 show different variants for discharging the gas flow from the treatment chamber 110.

the 19 and 24 show exemplary complete flows, in particular including a variant of a gas supply and a variant of a gas discharge, wherein a workpiece 104 embodied as a vehicle body 106, for example, has the gas flow flowing through it from the back to the front along the workpiece longitudinal direction 140.

In principle, all variants of the gas supply can be combined with all variants of the gas discharge.

Preferably, however, the gas flow is supplied on one side of the workpiece 104 and the gas flow is discharged on a further side of the workpiece 104 opposite this side.

In 11 at least one inlet opening 126 is provided in a top wall 122 of the housing 108 . The inlet opening 126 is designed in such a way that a gas stream flowing through it can flow through the inlet opening 170 into the workpiece interior 168 of the workpiece 104 .

According to 12 an oblique supply of the gas stream is provided in an upper region of a vertical side wall 116 with respect to the direction of gravity 118 . In particular, the gas flow hits the front hood 156 of the workpiece 104 obliquely from above and is then fed to the inlet opening 170 of the interior space 168 of the workpiece.

According to 13 at least one inlet opening 126 arranged in the inclined section 158 of a partition wall 128 is provided.

According to 14 an inlet opening 126 arranged in a lower region of a vertical side wall 116 with respect to the direction of gravity 118 is provided.

According to 15 three inlet openings 126 distributed along the longitudinal direction 140 of the workpiece are provided in the base wall 120 . The gas flow can flow through the workpiece 104 from bottom to top, in particular counter to the direction of gravity 118 .

According to 16 An outlet opening 132 is provided in the area of the vehicle rear end 162 in the bottom wall 120 of the housing 108 .

According to 17 At least one outlet opening 132 is provided in the area of the vehicle rear 162 in the side wall 116 .

According to 18 a gas discharge is provided in a direction running parallel to the conveying direction 112, in particular with respect to the workpiece longitudinal direction 140 to one or both sides of the workpiece 104. In particular, outlet openings 132 are provided in the area of the vehicle rear 162 .

According to 19 An inlet opening 126 is provided in the top wall 122 in such a way that a gas flow is directed into an inlet opening 170 between two C-pillars 166 of the workpiece 104 embodied as a vehicle body 106 .

The gas flow guided through the interior space 168 of the workpiece can finally be discharged from the treatment space 110 via an outlet opening 132 arranged there in a lower region of a vertical side wall 116 with respect to the direction of gravity 118 .

The gas supply according to 20 corresponds to the one from 11 .

The gas supply according to 21 corresponds to the one from 15 .

The gas discharge according to 22 corresponds to the one from 16 .

The gas discharge according to 23 corresponds to the one from 18 .

The flow through the workpiece 104 according to 19 is also in the variant according to 24 intended.

As already mentioned, in the embodiments of the treatment system 100 according to FIGS Figures 20 to 24 However, no cross promotion, but a longitudinal promotion provided.

Like in particular 24 shows, this means that the inlet openings 126 on the one hand and the outlet openings 132 on the other hand along the conveying direction 112 are arranged offset to one another.

Since the direction in which the gas stream flows in is adapted to the one or more inlet openings 170 of the workpieces 104, continuous conveyance of the workpieces 104 would result in a severely overheated roof area 174, for example.

The workpieces 104 are therefore preferably conveyed in a cycled manner by means of the conveying direction 114 and, in particular, at preferred holding positions, such as in 24 shown, stopped.

The desired flow through the workpiece interior 168 then takes place in these holding positions.

one inside 25 illustrated further embodiment of a treatment system 100 differs from the example in 1 illustrated first embodiment essentially in that the treatment system 100 comprises a lock 210.

Furthermore, the treatment system 100 comprises a recirculation module 196 and a rinsing module 198.

In particular, it is provided that the air circulation module 196, the scavenging module 198 and the lock 210 are arranged in succession in this order along the conveying direction 112.

The treatment system 100 preferably includes a gas duct such that the lock 210 can be supplied with unloaded gas, for example a fresh air stream.

The lock 210 is thus in particular an air lock.

Gas passed through the lock 210 , in particular a lock gas stream, can preferably be fed to the flushing module 198 by means of the gas duct of the treatment system 100 .

In particular, the gas flow in the rinsing module 198 is conducted as a rinsing gas flow through the treatment space 110, in particular the interior space 168 of the workpiece, in order to remove any contaminants previously contained therein as completely as possible and to remove them from the interior space 168 of the workpiece and/or the treatment space 110. The contaminants are, in particular, solvent vapors.

The scavenging gas flow discharged from the scavenging module 198 can preferably be reused. For example, this can be fed at least partially as supply air to a recirculation module 196 . Furthermore, a feed to an exhaust gas purification device (not shown) can also be provided.

In particular, energy-efficient operation of the treatment plant 100 can be made possible by the described gas routing of the treatment plant 100 .

Incidentally, the in 25 illustrated embodiment of a treatment system 100 preferably in terms of structure and function with the in 1 illustrated first embodiment match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

one inside 26 The further embodiment of a treatment system 100 shown schematically differs from that in 25 The embodiment illustrated essentially in that the treatment system 100 comprises, in addition to a heating section 204 formed by one or more air circulation modules 196, a rinsing section 212 formed, for example, by a rinsing module 198, and a cooling section 214.

Furthermore, two locks 210 are preferably provided, with one lock 210 separating the heating section 204 from the rinsing section 212 . The additional lock 210 separates the rinsing section 212 from the cooling section 214.

The heating section 204, a sluice 210, the rinsing section 212, the further sluice 210 and the cooling section 214 are preferably arranged one after the other in this order with respect to the conveying direction 112.

In the 26 The treatment system 100 shown preferably comprises a gas supply, in which a fresh air gas stream can be fed to a lock 210 or to the scavenging section 212 .

A purge gas flow passed through the purge section 212 is preferably supplied to the warming section 204 . In particular, a feed is provided at an end 216 of the heating section 204 that faces away from the rinsing section 212 .

The gas flow guided through the heating section 204 is preferably discharged at an end 218 of the heating section 204 facing the flushing section 212.

Incidentally, the in 26 illustrated embodiment of a treatment system 100 in terms of structure and function with the in 25 and/or one of the Figures 1 to 24 illustrated embodiments match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

one inside 27 The embodiment of a treatment system 100 shown differs from that in 26 The embodiment illustrated essentially in that the treatment system 100 comprises two heating sections 204, between which a rinsing section 212 separated by means of two locks 210 is arranged.

A further lock 210 is preferably arranged between the rear heating section 204 with respect to the conveying direction 112 and the cooling section 214 .

At the in 27 The embodiment of the treatment system 100 illustrated in the embodiment preferably provides for the flushing gas flow guided through the flushing section 212 to be divided and a partial gas flow to be supplied to an end 216 of each heating section 204 remote from the flushing section 212.

The gas flow conducted through the respective heating section 204 is then discharged at the end 218 of each heating section 204 which is arranged facing the flushing section 212 .

The selected gas flow results in the in 27 illustrated embodiment of the treatment system 100, a flow through the front heating section 204 with respect to the conveying direction 112, preferably in the transport direction 112, while the flow through the rear heating section 204 with respect to the transport direction 112 is preferably carried out counter to the transport direction 112. This results in particular in an enrichment of solvent in the front part of the treatment system 100 with respect to the conveying direction 112, in particular upstream of the rinsing section 212. The routing of the gas flow in countercurrent in the rear heating section 204 with respect to the conveying direction 112 preferably results in a particularly low discharge of solvent the environment.

Incidentally, the in 27 illustrated embodiment of a treatment system 100 in terms of structure and function with the in 26 illustrated embodiment match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

In the Figures 28 to 32 different variants of conveyor devices 114 are shown.

These different variants of the conveying device 114 can preferably be used in all variants of treatment systems 100 shown and described.

In particular, the conveying devices 114 are provided for conveying the workpieces 104 along a total conveying path 220 .

This overall conveying path 220 preferably extends through all sections of the treatment system 100, in particular through the heating section 204, a rinsing section 212 and/or a cooling section 214 or through several of the sections 204, 212, 214 mentioned.

In addition, conveying through one or more locks 210 is also provided by means of the respective conveying device 114 .

At the in 28 The embodiment of a conveyor device 114 shown in the illustration provides that the conveyor device 114 comprises a transfer device 222 .

Such a transfer device 222 can be used, in particular, to establish a connection between two partial conveying sections 224 of the overall conveying section 220 that meet, for example, at an angle of 90°.

The transfer device 222 makes it possible in particular to transfer the workpieces 104 from one partial conveyor section 224 to the other partial conveyor section 224 in such a way that the workpieces 104 retain a global rotational orientation relative to the treatment system 100 unchanged.

If, for example, a longitudinal conveyance of the workpieces 104 is provided in a first conveying section 224a and this conveying section 224a meets a second partial conveying path 224b running perpendicularly thereto, with an unchanged rotational orientation of the workpieces 104, a transverse conveyance results in the region of the second partial conveying path 224b.

A conveyor device 114 according to in 28 The embodiment illustrated is particularly suitable when a lock 210 with the smallest possible cross-section has to be passed through, but subsequent cross-conveyance is preferred.

one inside 29 The embodiment of a conveyor device 114 shown differs from that in 28 illustrated embodiment essentially in that three sub-conveyor sections 224 and two transfer devices 222 are provided. By means of the conveyor device 114, a transverse conveyance of the workpieces 104 can be converted into a longitudinal conveyance of the same, for example in order to guide them through a lock 210. Following this, the workpieces 104 can in particular be repositioned in order to enable further transverse conveyance.

Incidentally, the in 29 illustrated embodiment in terms of structure and function with the in 28 illustrated embodiment match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

By means of a conveyor device 114 according to in 29 In the illustrated embodiment, in particular, a lateral offset of the workpieces 104 (in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) can be realized.

Provision can also be made for a conveyor device 114 to have essentially two conveyor devices 114 in accordance with FIG 29 illustrated embodiment, which are arranged and designed in such a way that the workpieces 104 can first be displaced laterally and then brought back to an original conveying straight line.

one inside 30 illustrated further embodiment of a conveyor device 114 differs from that in 28 illustrated embodiment essentially in that the conveyor device 114 comprises two rotation devices 226.

The workpieces 104 can preferably be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation 228 by means of each rotation device 226 .

A global rotational orientation of the workpieces 104 relative to the treatment system 100 can thus be changed by means of the rotation device 226, in particular without changing a general conveying direction 112 in two partial conveying sections 224 connected to one another by means of the respective rotation device 226.

At the in 30 The illustrated embodiment of the treatment system 100 provides in particular that the workpieces 104 are initially conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 112, that is to say a transverse conveyance is provided. By means of a rotation device 226, the workpieces 104 are then rotated, preferably in front of a lock 210, in order to convert the transverse conveyance into a longitudinal conveyance. The workpieces 104 are then guided through the lock 210 in this longitudinal orientation and then rotated again by means of a further rotation device 226 in order to ultimately continue the transverse conveyance.

The conveying direction 112 preferably does not change in this case.

Incidentally, the in 30 illustrated embodiment of a conveyor device 114 preferably in terms of structure and function with the in 28 illustrated embodiment match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

one inside 31 The embodiment of a conveyor device 114 shown differs from that in 28 illustrated embodiment essentially in that the conveyor device 114 comprises both a rotation device 226 and a conversion device 222 and a lifting device 230.

This conveyor device 114 can be used in particular in a treatment system 100 which is designed as a so-called A dryer.

It can be favorable if the treatment system 100 comprises a heating section 204 and/or a rinsing section 212, which is arranged, in particular completely, above a cooling section 214 with respect to the direction of gravity 118. As a result, an undesired discharge of heat from the heating section 204 can be avoided or at least reduced.

The workpieces 104 can preferably be conveyed along a first partial conveying path 224 through the heating section 204 and fed to the rinsing section 212 .

The rinsing section 212 can preferably be separated from the heating section 204 and/or the cooling section 214 by means of two mechanical separating elements 232 .

A separating element 232 can be designed, for example, as a roller door or lifting door, which can be introduced between the heating section 204 and the rinsing section 212 .

Another separating element 232 is, for example, a base plate 234 of the lifting device 230.

The bottom plate 234 in particular closes off an interior space of the flushing section 212 downwards in the direction of gravity 118 when the lifting device 230 is in a raised position, for example to accommodate workpieces 104 at the level of the heating section 204.

A transfer device 222 can optionally be provided for transferring workpieces 104 in the area of the rinsing section 212 .

The workpieces 104 can be lowered from the level of the heating section 204 to the level of the cooling section 214 by means of the lifting device 230 and then, in particular by means of an optional transfer device 222, can be transferred to a further partial conveyor line 224.

Provision can be made for a global rotational alignment of the workpieces 104 relative to the treatment system 100 to be changed by means of one or more rotation devices 226 .

For example, a rotating device 226 together with the lifting device 230 can form an integrated handling device 236 .

Provision can be made here in particular for the workpieces 104 to be simultaneously rotated about a vertical axis of rotation 228 during the lifting or lowering by means of the lifting device 230 .

A further rotation device 226, which is arranged, for example, in the cooling section 214, can also be used for the optimized conveyance of the workpieces 104 in this cooling section 214.

Incidentally, the in 31 The illustrated embodiment of a conveyor device 114 and/or the entire treatment system 100 in terms of structure and function optionally correspond to one or more of the embodiments described above, so that reference is made to their above description in this respect.

one inside 32 The embodiment of a conveyor device 114 shown differs from that in 30 illustrated embodiment essentially in that only one rotation device 226 is provided.

A longitudinal conveyance of the workpieces 104 is thus preferably provided in front of the lock 210 with respect to the conveying direction 112 in order to be able to guide the workpieces 104 through the lock 210 with the smallest possible cross-section. After the lock 210, the longitudinal conveying can then preferably be converted into a transverse conveying by means of the rotation device 226.

Incidentally, the in 32 illustrated embodiment of a conveyor device 114 in terms of structure and function with the in 30 illustrated embodiment match, so that reference is made to the extent to their above description.

Claims (15)

Treatment system (100) for treating workpieces (104), for example for drying coated vehicle bodies (106), the treatment system (100) comprising a treatment room (110) and a conveyor device (114) by means of which the workpieces (104) are conveyed to the treatment room (110) can be supplied, removed from the treatment room (110) and/or can be conveyed through the treatment room (110) in a conveying direction (112). Treatment system (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the treatment room (110) comprises at least one heating section (204) in which the workpieces (104) can be heated and/or kept at a temperature that is higher than the ambient temperature. Treatment system (100) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a rinsing device for rinsing a rinsing section (212) of the treatment chamber (110) with a lock gas stream, with preferably a) the rinsing section (212) of the treatment chamber (110) is arranged behind at least one heating section (204) of the treatment chamber (110) with respect to the conveying direction (112); and or b) the rinsing section (212) of the treatment chamber (110) is arranged between at least two heating sections (204) of the treatment chamber (110) with respect to the conveying direction (112); and or c) the treatment chamber (110) comprises at least one heating section (204), at least one cooling section (214) for cooling the workpieces (104) and at least one rinsing section (212), with at least one rinsing section (212) between the at least one heating section (204) and the at least one cooling section (214); and or d) the flushing section (212) and the at least one heating section (204) can be selectively separated from one another in a fluid-effective manner and connected to one another in a fluid-effective manner by means of one or more separating elements (232). Treatment system (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a gas duct, by means of which the gas stream, in particular fresh air stream, fed to a rinsing section (212) of the treatment chamber (110) after flowing through the rinsing section ( 212) can be supplied to at least one heating section (204) of the treatment chamber (110), wherein the gas flow, in particular fresh air flow, supplied to a rinsing section (212) of the treatment chamber (110) preferably after flowing through the rinsing section (212) to at least one heating section (204) of the Treatment chamber (110) at an end (216) of the heating section (204) facing away from the rinsing section (212). Treatment system (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a rinsing device, by means of which a heated gas stream can be supplied to a rinsing section (212) of the treatment chamber (110). Treatment system (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a heating section (204) comprises at least one heating zone (200) for heating the workpieces (104) and/or at least one holding zone (202) in which an elevated temperature of the workpieces (104) can be maintained, with each heating zone (200) and/or each holding zone (202) preferably comprising one or more air circulation modules (196) for circulating the gas flow conducted in the respective heating zone (200) and/or holding zone (202). . Treatment system (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a heating section (204) comprises at least one heating zone (200) for heating the workpieces (104) and/or at least one holding zone (202) in which an elevated temperature of the workpieces (104) can be maintained, with each heating zone (200) and/or each holding zone (202) preferably having a separate heating device (178) and/or a separate heat exchanger (179) for heating the material in the respective heating zone (200) and/or or holding zone (202) guided gas flow. Treatment plant (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) a) at least one heating section (204), at least one scavenging section (212) and at least one cooling section (214), wherein the at least one heating section (204) and the at least one scavenging section (212) are above the at least one with respect to the direction of gravity (118). cooling section (214); and or b) comprises at least one gas supply (124), by means of which a gas flow can be directed at least approximately perpendicularly to an entry plane of an entry opening (170) of a workpiece (104) into an interior (144) of the workpiece (104), the entry opening (170) is an opening in which a windshield or rear window is arranged in an assembled state of a workpiece (104) designed as a motor vehicle. Treatment plant (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a) the workpieces (104) can be picked up by the conveyor device (114) and conveyed through at least one heating section (204), at least one rinsing section (212) and/or at least one cooling section (214) of the treatment chamber (110) in such a way that a longitudinal direction (140) of the workpieces (104) at least approximately is aligned horizontally and/or transversely, in particular substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying direction (112): and/or b) the conveyor device (114) comprises a rotation device (226) by means of which a rotational alignment of the workpieces (104) can be changed about a vertical axis of rotation (228); and or c) the conveyor device (114) comprises a lifting device (230) by means of which the workpieces (104) can be raised from a first level to a second level and/or lowered from the second level to the first level; and or d) the conveyor device (114) comprises a transfer device (222), by means of which the workpieces (104) can be transferred from one conveyor section (224) to another conveyor section (224), the conveying directions (112) in the two conveyor sections (224) are different from one another and wherein an absolute rotational alignment of the workpieces (104) relative to the treatment system (100) is identical in both partial conveyor sections (224); and or e) the conveyor device (114) comprises a rotation device (226), by means of which a rotational alignment of the workpieces (104) can be changed about a vertical axis of rotation (228), and a lifting device (230), by means of which the workpieces (104) are lifted from a first Level can be raised to a second level and / or lowered from the second level to the first level, wherein the rotation device (226) and the lifting device (230) as an integrated handling device (236) for handling the workpieces (104) between two partial conveyor lines ( 224) are formed. Treatment system (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the treatment system (100) is a dryer system (102) for drying vehicle bodies (106). Method for treating workpieces (104), for example for drying coated vehicle bodies (106), the method comprising: - Feeding workpieces (104) to a treatment room (110) of a treatment system (100); and or - Passing workpieces (104) through the treatment room (110); and or - Removal of workpieces (104) from the treatment room (110). Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that a lock gas flow, in particular a fresh air flow, for a lock (210) after flowing through the lock (210) is supplied as a flushing gas flow to the workpieces (104) and passed through them, the lock gas flow being partially or at least is directed approximately completely, preferably by means of one or more nozzles, of the gas supply (124) into a workpiece interior (168) of the workpieces (104) and/or the lock gas flow at least partially a preferably from a heating section (204) or cooling section (214) of the treatment plant ( 100) discharged gas flow and/or wherein the lock gas flow is preferably sucked off within a lock (210), for example through a bottom wall (120) of a lock (210), and then for flushing an interior space (168) of the workpieces (104), in particular at least approximately perpendicular to a conveying direction (112) of the workpiece cke (104) into the workpiece interior (168). Method according to one of Claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the workpieces (104) are first passed through at least one heating section (204) of the treatment chamber (110) and then flushed through with a stream of flushing gas, the workpieces (104) preferably being flushed through are fed to at least one further heating section (204) of the treatment room (110) and/or wherein the workpieces (104) are fed to at least one cooling section (214) of the treatment room (110) after flushing. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a) a rinsing section (212) and at least one heating section (204) and/or at least one cooling section (214) are fluidly separated from one another by means of one or more separating elements (232) in order to carry out a rinsing process; and or b) a gas flow, in particular a hot gas flow, a flushing gas flow and/or a cooling gas flow, is directed at least approximately perpendicularly to an entry plane of an entry opening (170) of a workpiece (104) into an interior (144) of the workpiece (104), the entry opening (170) is an opening in which a windshield or rear window is arranged in an assembled state of a workpiece (104) designed as a motor vehicle. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a) a gas flow, in particular a hot gas flow, a flushing gas flow and/or a cooling gas flow, is directed through an inlet opening (170) of a workpiece (104) into an interior (144) of the workpiece (104), with a proportion of a volume flow of the through the inlet opening (170) into the interior (144) of the workpiece (104) directed gas flow is at least approximately 50%, preferably at least approximately 75%, of a volume flow of a total gas flow directed onto or into the workpiece (104); and or b) the workpieces (104) are picked up by the conveyor device (114) and conveyed through at least one heating section (204), at least one rinsing section (212) and/or at least one cooling section (214) of the treatment chamber (110) in such a way that a longitudinal direction (140) of the workpieces (104) is aligned at least approximately horizontally and/or transversely, in particular essentially perpendicularly, to the conveying direction (112).

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