FR2777480A1 - Automobile bodywork paint room - Google Patents

Abstract

The paint room comprises a pit for the recovery of paint and a retractable human intervention floor (1) located above the pit. The floor comprises a series of gratings (3) secured to a deployable crosspiece structure (2) so as to be able to withdraw to one end of the room the paint ejection's. Rails (6) located either side the floor gratings guide and protect chains (4) driving the crosspieces in one direction or the other.

Description

CABIN FOR INDUSTRIAL TREATMENT PLANT,

  IN PARTICULAR FOR THE PAINTING OF AUTOMOBILE BODIES

  The present invention relates to a cabin for industrial chain processing installation, more

  particularly a cabin intended for the implementation of operations alternately involving automated processing and intervention by an operator above a floor. The term "operator" here denotes

  proudly a human operator or a robot moving on the aforementioned floor.

  The preferred application of the invention, although not exclusive, relates to the paint booths of the bodies of automobile bodies in installations

  industrial chain manufacturing. Also, to fix ideas, and without this being limiting in any way of the scope of the invention, this preferred application will be considered below.

  In automobile manufacturing plants, body boxes are commonly placed on a support known as a sledge, which is itself transported by a conveyor to pass through a series of 20 online processing stations. In the paint application stations, the boxes enter a station forming a cabin, they stop there to undergo treatment, and then they come out again, carried by the conveyor to another treatment or unloading station. ;

gement.

  The application of paint taking place in the automated phases is carried out from reservoirs containing the paint, using spray nozzles or other projection means, which are arranged on the ceiling 30 and / or on the side walls of the cabin. In normal operation, no operator enters the cab.

  treatment, but outside the self-treatment phases

  operator, it may be necessary for an operator to enter it

  for touching up paint and manual finishing. Staff also enter the treatment booths to carry out equipment maintenance operations5, periodic or not.

  As a result, booths of this type usually include a perforated floor, in the form of grating plates, which horizontally separates two parts, namely a lower part, constituted by a washer in which water circulates collecting the excess paint. projected during the automatic processing phases, and

  an upper part constituting the operators' development area.

  The set of grating plates constitutes, relative to the so-called "wet" ground of the pit, a so-called "dry" floor, allowing the personnel, during the intervention phases of an operator, to walk in the cabin , to pass

  around the bodywork body if it is still present, to have access to the other equipment internal to the cabin, including for example to the pit for cleaning it. During the operational phases in automatic operation

  The same whole allows the excess paint to drain into the lower part. Below this dry floor, washing tubs with water flow25 cause excess fresh paint for recycling after filtration and / or purification.

  The problem encountered comes from the fact that part of the excess paint is deposited and dried on the elements constituting the floor. This fact involves expensive cleaning operations. In addition, if the gratings are based on metal plates, one cannot

  carry out frequent cleaning operations without risking excessive wear and tear. On the other hand, the use of plastic gratings is not always possible, because the plastic material is attacked by certain coating products or other bodywork treatment.

  However, as indicated, the presence of operators or maintenance personnel inside the cabin is only required intermittently, alternating with automated processing operations. For obvious security reasons, it is also imperative to prohibit access to anyone during an operational period.

  automatic process. In summary, the intervention floor is only necessary to allow the evolution of an operator, but even in situations where it is useless10 most of the time, it generates many disadvantages.

  The invention sets itself the aim of overcoming the drawbacks of the known art which have just been recalled.

  We can easily understand that it applies to any industry where we meet the same need for a perforated floor which is exposed to paint splashes when it is not used permanently, and not only to automobile manufacturers, or other vehicle manufacturers in general. In addition, the case of paints is not unique, and other automatic treatments involve the projection of products which would be so messy

  similar. One can even assimilate other types of treatment, such as those which would be harmful to the intervention floor of operators by a product which would be corrosive rather than dirty in the proper sense of the term.

  To do this, the invention provides a retractable floor, consisting of elements individually carried by a deployable structure which allows, by a folded position, 'fold said elements against each other in normal time of automated operation of the cabin, bringing them back on either side of the area

  involved in dirty operations such as spraying or spraying paint, that is to say towards the ends of the cabin, or at least towards one of the ends of the cabin.

  During these phases of automatic operation, the excess paint therefore falls directly into the pit

  lower, without soiling the floor elements, while these remain available to be put in place5 easily when the intervention of an operator is necessary. In practice, the floor according to the invention is advantageously

  suitably made up of a series of rectangular elements of a type similar to gratings in the prior art.

  In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the slatted floor elements are driven by a motorized spider system. Such braces each consist of two bars hinged together, and the braces are connected in series with each other by hinge pins between the ends of said bars. The complete system consists of two series of vertically arranged braces, which

  constitute two rows located symmetrically on either side of the grating plates, which they carry from one to the other.

  When the supporting structure thus formed is in the unfolded state, the grating plates form a continuous horizontal floor, on a substantially flat surface, suitable for human intervention. In the folded state, the grating plates, driven by the aforementioned crosspieces, are stored folded against each other, each in an orientation close to the vertical

  and under cover, outside the effective spraying area.

  The grating plates are preferably removably fixed to a frame integral with the deployable structure, extending between the two series of cross-pieces

  and fixed to one of the bars of each crossbar (therefore one bar out of two in each series), in an inclined position relative to the bars they connect (in particular35 by means of two legs of unequal lengths). This ensures that in the deployed state, the floor is flat.

  According to other secondary characteristics of the invention, the brace structures are guided by a system of rails and rollers, the braces are driven by a system of toothed wheels, mechanically coupled to the lower end of the braces and meshed on a triple chain, and the latter is

  driven by a motor located outside the cabin.

  In a preferred embodiment variant, cylinders or similar members are used to provide assistance with locking and unlocking during transitions into and out of extreme states: floor and cross-pieces

  fully deployed and fully collapsed, respectively.

  In a still more preferred variant, the rails are faired and they include retractable protective flaps, the lower end of which is flush with the floor in the unfolded position thereof. This casing

  removable is advantageously motorized, and so actuated remotely.

  The invention therefore relates in particular to a processing cabin in an industrial production line, intended for the implementation of operations alternately involving automated processing and processing by operator, characterized in that it comprises a series of floor elements individually attached to a corresponding series of bars constituting a deployable structure, articulated one on the other, the deformation of said deployable structure bringing with it said floor elements between two extreme configurations in which they are respectively flat one after the other, to form a continuous floor for said operator treatment, and arranged

  folded over each other towards at least one of two opposite ends of said cabin.

  In practice, it will often be advantageous to equip the cabin with several deployable structures thus formed, each with its own floor. A particular favorable case for automobile construction factories consists in providing such structures deploying from the side walls of the cabin5 to the conveyor rails of the boxes to be painted, supplemented by one or two structures deploying in the

  longitudinal direction of the conveyor line to cover the central space between the rails.

  The invention will be better understood and other charac-

  o10 teristics and advantages will appear on reading the following description, made with reference to the figures

  appended, among which: - Figure 1 shows in perspective a retractable floor portion according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, driven by a deployable support structure with crossbars; - Figure 2A illustrates an example of grating plate usable in the context of the invention; - Figure 2B is a detail figure illustrating the operation of the braces; - Figures 3A and 3B illustrate different states of the floor of Figure 1, between the extreme positions where it is folded or unfolded in connection with the deployment of the supporting structure; - Figure 3C schematically shows, in side view, the arrangement of a paint spray booth on car bodies comprising a retractable floor produced in accordance with the invention; - Figures 4A and 4B show the arrangement of toothed wheels and guide rails used in the device of Figure 1, in a sectional representation, in front view and in top view respectively; - Figure 4C schematically illustrates the motorization means of the floor of Figure 1; Figure 5 relates to an alternative embodiment of the guide rails which provides them with flaps

retractable;

  - Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a variant of the brace structure which is associated with additional motor means consisting of cylinders; - And Figure 7 shows schematically, in top view, the arrangement of a paint spray booth

  on car bodies with retractable floor10 produced in accordance with another embodiment according to the invention.

  We will now describe an embodiment of a cabin with a retractable intervention floor designed

  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, by reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C.

  Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a portion of retractable floor during deployment. The floor 1 is formed on the basis of a series of rectangular plates 3. Figure 2A illustrates an example of such a plate. It is a grating plate 3, that is to say an openwork plate, of a conventional type in itself. Its external contour is that of a rectangular parallelepiped 30, in which it forms a network with rectangular meshes (possibly square in particular), by

  walls 31 and 32 whose thickness has not been shown.

  According to an important characteristic of the invention, these plates 3 are fixed (this removably in particular when they are made of a material allowing their re-use after cleaning) in rigid frames made of metallic material which are made mechanically integral with a load-bearing structure. It can be deployed in a horizontal direction through the cabin. It is essentially made of cross-pieces 2 arranged in a vertical plane, which are distributed in two symmetrical series on either side of the plates 3 constituting with their frames

  the floor elements.

  Each base spider comprises two bars 20 and 21, which are mechanically coupled by an axis of articulation.

  central culation 24, connecting them with free rotation in their middle. In each series, the upper ends of the bars belonging to two adjacent braces are also mechanically coupled in free rotation around an axis 25. The same is true for the lower ends, but this coupling is more complex, as will be shown below. -after with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. In

  in particular, at the lower ends of the cross-pieces, the articulation axes between bars carry cogwheels 22 or 23, integral with one of the bars and 15 subject to rotation drive shafts 26.

  The toothed wheels 22 and 23 are driven by the links of a chain 4, which is advantageously, as will be shown below, a triple chain. Although the use of a single chain 4 is theoretically possible, in practice, two chains are used, arranged on either side of the structure 2 (as

  illustrated by FIG. 4C), so as to ensure good synchronism of the movements between the two symmetrical series of braces composing this structure.

  During the deployment and folding phases of the supporting structure carrying with it the floor 1, the chain 4 is set in linear movement by a motor (not shown in FIG. 1), in one direction or another, depending on the action desired. The toothed wheels 22 and 23 are fixedly fixed to one of the bars of each spider, for example to the bar referenced 21, the other

  bar 20 being in free rotation around the rotation shaft 26. A composite movement then takes place.

  In fact, as shown more particularly in the detail figure 2B, the toothed wheels 23 being unable to rotate freely about their axis, owing to the fact that they are integral with the bar 21, they will be driven by the chain 4 in one movement in translation, for example from left to right (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2b) .5 However, due to the different couplings, the bars 21 cannot remain vertical. The bars 21 will therefore tilt to the left, which also causes a

  rotational movement of the toothed wheels 23 in the counterclockwise direction. For their part, the bars 20, in free rotation around the axis 26, will tilt to the right.

  It should be clear that what has just been described for the toothed wheel 23, the only one visible in FIG. 2B,

  applies the same way for toothed wheel 22.

  It follows that, in the example described, the complete cross-member structure will deploy by lengthening in horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the structure of braces 2 being double, with a series on each side of the plates 3, and the latter being secured to the bars 21 by lugs attaching their frames (not shown in this figure), they will follow the

  movement of the structure, and their inclination will decrease until they are parallel to each other.

  Note that the plates 3 are slightly inclined relative to the bars 21 which support them. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain that, once the crosspieces are fully deployed, the plates constitute a floor, the upper surface of which forms a continuous, well planar floor and that the crosspieces do not exceed the surface of the surrounding soil S. The chain 4 and the wheels toothed, 22 and 23, are guided by side rails 6 whose structure will

detailed below.

  In FIG. 3A, five states of deployment of the human intervention floor, referenced I to V, have been represented in the same drawing. State I represents the cross-member structure 2 completely folded back and state V represents this same completely unfolded structure. The different corresponding positions of the floor are referenced la to

  le, la and representing the extreme positions and lb to ld of the intermediate positions.

  FIG. 3B illustrates, in more detail, in side view, the configuration of the cross-pieces 2 for three of the positions illustrated in FIG. 2A: the middle position corresponds to state III, and the two extreme positions correspond to states I ( crosspieces 2a fully folded) and V (crosspieces 2e fully15 unfolded). The elements relating to these three positions have the same references, but they are associated with

  letters a (state I), c (state III) and e (state V), respectively.

  In state I, the bars, 20a on the one hand and 21a on the other hand, are contiguous and substantially vertical. The plates 3a are also substantially contiguous to each other

  other. The cross structure 2 is assembled in a minimal volume.

  In state V, the bars, 20th on the one hand and 21a on the other hand, are also contiguous (at least by their ends), but the structure 2 has a maximum extension, and the bars meet practically at the horizontal. The successive 3rd grating plates are contiguous, in the extension of one another, and entirely horizontal, so that they form the aforementioned human intervention floor. We see on

  FIG. 3B that the upper surface of the floor formed by the various butted plates 3e is flush with the ground S and that the cross-pieces are located below this surface.

  l1 The end spider (on the left in FIG. 3B) is fixed to a fixed wall p, so that the first lower articulation axis is not driven by the movements of the chain 4. Also shown on the Figure 3B the legs or fasteners 27c and 28c (in the only position III, so as not to overload the drawing), fixing the plates 3c to the bars 21c. These fasteners, 27c and 28c, are of unequal lengths, so that the plates 3c are inclined relative to the bars 21e.10 This arrangement makes it possible to obtain exactly the configuration of the state V (plates marked 3rd and

  crosses marked 20th and 21st). Advantageously, the attachment is achieved by a notch on one side and by a screw on the other (not shown in the figures), making disassembly very easy.

  FIG. 3C schematically illustrates a cabin C for applying paint to a car bodywork A. The latter is placed on a sledge L transported by a conveyor (not shown), the rails of which pass longitudinally through the paint cabin in his middle. In the example described, it is assumed that the paint is sprayed from a series of external bowls supplying ramps with guns or nozzles Bp fixed to the ceiling of the cabin C. The level NI has been shown in dashed lines, called automatic line, at a typical height hl = 400 mm

  above ground level S of cabin C, or "line 0" of dry floor. The level at h2 = -400 mm below the ground level S is the so-called wet soil line, that is to say the bottom of the recovery pit for surplus paints.

  In the example in FIG. 3C, cabin C is

  equipped with two floor-to-tail structures, la and lb, which are shown here in their entirety.

  rely folded towards the longitudinal ends of the cabin located at the entry and at the exit (plates, 3a and 3b folded against each other). The floors are then stored in storage areas located outside the paint dispersion area. The elements constituting these floors are therefore protected from contamination, in particular the grating plates 3a and 3b. However, when it is necessary to enter cabin C, for one reason or another, the structures are deployed and

  the unfolded floors then form a continuous plane with the ground S ("line 0" above).

  The drive system of the brace structure 2 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A to 5, while remaining within the scope of the example of the preceding figures, and in particular of FIG. 2B. FIG. 4A illustrates, in section and front view, the arrangement of the toothed wheels 22 and 23, in the guide rails 6, while FIG. 4B illustrates this same arrangement in section and top view. On the latter

  figure, there is also shown a fragment of the triple chain 4.

  The rails 6 comprise two superposed protection and guide compartments: an upper compartment 60, in the shape of a "U" reversed 90 degrees, and a

  lower compartment, in the shape of a "C" open towards the cross structure 2. Each compartment, 60 or 61, guides and protects one of the superimposed branches of the cabin 4.

  As indicated, the chain 4 is advantageously constituted by a triple chain. She understands

  therefore three distinct zones, referenced 40 to 42. The central zone 41 is provided with rotating rollers 410. These rollers 30 roll on a sliding plate 62 disposed on the horizontal lower wall of the upper compartment 60.

  The central part 41 of the chain 4 therefore does not serve to drive the cross-pieces 2 via the toothed wheels, 22 or 23. This role is assigned to the two extreme parts 40 and 42 of the chain.

  The part 42, the outermost with respect to the crossbars 2, drives the toothed wheels 22, while the interior part 40 drives the toothed wheels 23. To do this, the shafts 26 are provided with two distinct lengths, 5 26 'and 26 " respectively, so that the toothed wheels 23 and 22 are presented opposite the drive paths 42 and 40. It should be understood that the lower ends of the cross-pieces 2 are alternately provided

  a type 23 gear wheel, with a 26 "shaft, and a type 22 gear wheel, with a 26" shaft.

  This arrangement is advantageous because it allows the use of toothed wheels of large outside diameter.

  In fact, when the cross-pieces 2 are in the fully folded state, as shown in FIG. 4b, the fact of alternating the short shafts 2611 and long shafts 26 ′ allows the bars 20 and 21 to be brought together as much as possible. -at-

  say contiguous against each other (see Figure 3B: state I). If the advantageous arrangement which has just been recalled was not adopted, with the dimensions of the toothed wheels 22 and 23 suggested by FIG. 4b, it would be impossible to obtain a state of the cross-pieces 2 entirely.

  folded, the toothed wheels 23 and 22 abutting against each other, due to their diameters.

  Finally, only the external parts, 220 and 230, of the toothed wheels, that is to say the peripheral parts provided with teeth 222 and 232 are provided with a large diameter. The internal part, 221 and 231, fitted on the shafts 26 'and 26 ", has a smaller diameter, which allows the passage of the rollers 410 carried by the central path 41 of the

chain 4.

  The lower wall of the lower compartment 61 has clips 63 and 64 which support profiles of

  guide, 65 and 66. More precisely, the upper part, 650 and 660, of these guide sections has a width calculated to engage inside the two extreme chain paths, 42 and 40 respectively.

  In Figure 4C, there is shown schematically the motorization mechanism of the two drive chains, which have been arbitrarily referenced 4d and 4g. To simplify this drawing, the structure with 5 cross-pieces 2 and the plates 3, nor the guide rails 6, has not been shown. The motorization system essentially comprises an electric motor 7, mechanically coupled to the first ends of the two chains, 7d and 7g, by a rotary shaft 70, carrying two toothed wheels 71 and 72. The diameter10 of these toothed wheels is calculated as a function of the respective heights of the two compartments 60 and 61 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) and the diameters of the toothed wheels 22 and 23. The two chains, 4d and 4g, loop back on their seconds

  ends via a second pair of gears 73 and 74.

  Naturally, instead of a direct coupling as above, it is possible to perform mechanical coupling via a gear system (not shown) with an appropriate reduction ratio as a function of the desired torque. It is also possible to use an intermediate transmission chain between the motor shaft and the drive shaft of the

  chains controlling the deployable structure by the toothed wheels 22-23.

  Among other alternative embodiments of a cabin implementing the invention, the one which essentially consists in eliminating these cogwheels and in providing the drive chain with a link forming a carriage which moves in va and comes on a bearing angle and which carries a finger or a fork engaged on a lower articulation axis of one of the cross-pieces. The two bars of the cross remain perfectly free in

  rotation on this articulation axis, and the weight of the entire structure is sufficient to ensure that the carriage rests on the cooperating guide angle without deviating from it.

  On the other hand, as the floor elements of each set are either horizontal or in the vertically stored position but inclined on the cross bars which carry them, themselves inclined on the vertical towards the front of the direction of deployment, metal grating plates can be used which cover the entire distance between the two series of facing braces and which simply rest floating in support frames fixed to the bars.10 But in other cases of application of the invention, it will be preferred to constitute each plate by several joined elementary gratings, mounted on the same frame, which are then

  advantageously fixed to this frame in a removable manner and made of a lighter polymer material, less prone to corrosion and more easily cleaned.

  According to the main characteristic of the invention, the fact that the floor 1 is retractable as it was

  described, there is no longer any risk of soiling of the grating plates, or moreover of the cross-pieces 2.

  However, the rails 6 and the chains 4 remain in place, even when the floor 1 is folded. These members, although they are located on either side of the conveying zone, still risk being soiled, which is particularly troublesome for the drive chains. The enveloping shape of the rails 6 provides some protection, but the compartments 60 and 61 cannot be

  fully closed. It is indeed necessary to provide, in particular for the lower compartment 61, a longitudinal groove allowing the shafts of the toothed wheels 22 and 23 to pass through.

  Also, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rail configuration is provided provided with retractable flaps, and advantageously motorized. FIG. 5 illustrates such a configuration, in section and in view of

face.

  The 6 'rail always includes two compartments. The lower compartment 61 ′ has a similar structure, if not identical to the compartment 61 in FIG. 4A. The upper compartment 60 ′ is intended to guide the movement of the chain 4, as before, and it houses the slide 62, which rests on its lower wall. Wall

  upper part of this compartment 61 ′ is inclined towards the cross-pieces 2 and it comprises two lips, 600 ′ and 601 ′, so as to accommodate a retractable flap 63.

  In FIG. 5, it has been assumed that the floor 1

  was fully deployed, in other words that the plates 3 were horizontal and butted in the prolon-

  each other. In this state, the shutter 63 can be allowed to slide until its lower edge comes into contact with the upper face of the plates 3. It follows that, even if an operator manually disperses polluting or dirtying products, the inside the rail 6 'is perfectly protected, due to the presence of the flap 63, and also thanks to the inclination of the latter and of the upper wall 600'. In addition, the operator can walk on the shutter without risk, since it is supported by the wall 601 '. Indeed, according to an advantageous additional arrangement, it is arranged that, even if the flap 63 is

  taken out, a portion of it remains inside the housing formed by the double wall 600′-601 ′, so as to maintain it.

  When the floor 1 is folded back, to enter an operational phase of automated painting projection, it is necessary to return the shutter 63 inside its housing (position 63 'in dotted lines). Otherwise, neither the braces nor the plates 3 could be folded. An actuator is therefore advantageously provided (not shown), for example based on hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, exerting a push or pull force on the flap 63, in a direction parallel to the inclination of the wall 600 '. We can also provide counterweights and pulleys, and / or

spring systems.

  In the foregoing description, it has been indicated that there are two extreme states: positions entirely

  folded and unfolded from the floor (Figures 3A and 3B: states I and V, respectively). These are the only interesting positions, the intermediate positions being useful only for switching from one to the other. However, if precisely, from a mechanical point of view, the intermediate positions do not pose any particular problems, this is not necessarily always the case for the extreme positions. More precisely, this

  are the transitions that can be problematic.

  Indeed, in practice there are always imperfections (mechanical tolerances, play, wear, etc.). By way of example, when the fully deployed state of the floor 1 is reached, and this despite the synchronism that the use of two drive chains (4d and 4g, FIG. 4C) allows, on either side of the plates 3 (FIG. 1), it happens that the bars of the cross-pieces are not entirely placed against one another. It follows that the floor 1 is not perfectly flat. Likewise, starting from this unfolded state and supposing on the contrary that the bars of the braces 2 are perfectly joined, it is easy to understand that, if one wishes to fold the floor, the initial phase of the folding movement risks leading to a blocking them

  bars refusing to move away from each other by rotation around the different axes, due to the unfavorable configuration of the forces. In practice, the last phase leading to the collapsed state and the start of deployment can also create difficulties.

  To overcome these difficulties, a preferred variant of the invention provides additional motorization means, produced on the basis of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. These jacks will make it possible to force the structure of braces 2 to take the extreme end positions, or on the contrary to leave more easily and

  surely these positions, in phases of transition.

  These jacks can be arranged in different ways, at the two ends of the cross structure.

  By way of nonlimiting examples, FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate two possible cylinder arrangements. In FIG. 6A, there is shown a jack 8 arranged at the folding end of the structure 2, or the end for parking the elements 3 (FIG. 1) of the floor 1. It is possible, for example, to provide an additional cross bar. - mental 21 ', mechanically coupled, in free rotation, with a fixed wall p, at its upper end. The jack 8, of a double-acting type, acts on this bar 21 '. More specifically, the motor arm or connecting rod 80 of this jack 15 8 is coupled by an axis of rotation 800 to the bar 21 ', in a central zone thereof. The other end 81 of the

  cylinder 8 is mechanically coupled to the fixed support wall p by an axis of rotation 810. The cylinder 8, with double effect, makes it possible to exert traction or thrust forces on the cross-member structure 2.

  In FIG. 6B, a jack 8 'has been shown acting on the other end of the cross-member structure 2, for example on the upper end of an additional bar 20'. In FIG. 6b, the cross-pieces 2 have been shown in the fully unfolded position. More precisely, the engine arm or connecting rod 80 'of this cylinder 8'

  is coupled by an axis of rotation 800 'to the bar 20', at the end of the latter. The other end 81 'of the cylinder 8' is mechanically coupled to a support wall p 'fixed by an axis of rotation 810'.

  The retractable floor structure which has just been described may advantageously be supplemented by position sensors (not shown), for example with infrared radiation, the information of which will make it possible to follow at any time the exact state reached by the structure with braces 2, therefore via the human intervention floor 1. This information is transmitted to an automatic structure control system, placed outside cabin C, which manages the various operations relating to the deployable structures, as well as the authorizations and the transitions between the operating phases. This control system, as well as the operating procedure will now be described. To do this, we

  again refer to Figure 3C.

  According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, all the control members, as well as the motor 7 (FIG. 4C), are deported outside the cabin C. One or more CE electrical boxes are provided, comprising the various circuits and apparatuses. electric, electronic, electro-mechanical and pneumatic necessary for the management of

  cabin and control of deployable structures. This CE electrical box is associated with a PC control panel made available to an authorized operator Op.

  The interior of the cabin contains automatic machines for projecting products and, of course,

  the cross-braced structures with their floors 1, as well as the drive and guiding materials (rails 6, chain 4, pneumatic cylinders 8 and 8 '), plus the position sensors or limit switches of which it has already been question.

  The complete system according to the invention can take two stable states. When the line is in the automated processing phase, the sets of floor elements30 (grating plates 3a or 3b) are retracted (as illustrated in Figure 3C) and parked at the ends of the

  cabin C, outside the product projection area Zl. In the operator treatment phases, they are fully unfolded and form a continuous floor or floor35 of human intervention.

  The transition from one of these states to the other is controlled by the operator Op, at his PC console, from outside the cabin C. The operating mode naturally depends on the conditions of use, which are5 defined by the end user according to specifications. However, to fix the ideas, a typical example

  operation of the installation will now be described, still with reference to FIG. 3C. On this one, all switches, pushbuttons and indicator lights10 have been grouped together under a single GLP reference.

  Assuming that we start from the so-called online position in automatic production, that is to say the grating plates being folded, an authorized operator Op presses a switch on the PC console, of the light push button type. , to place it in "stop production request". This switch flashes to indicate that it has been pressed. This maneuver stops the automatic machines and puts the Bp projection nozzles out

  operation. Once this maneuver is complete, the flashing stops and the light emitted becomes fixed.

  The operator Op can then actuate a second switch, advantageously with a key, to put it in a position authorizing the operation of the floor, which has the effect of lighting a special indicator. Booth C has advantageously been provided with zone penetration sensors (door contacts or any other type of conventional sensor) which then remain active in order to cut the aforementioned operating authorization if necessary on detection of an intrusion into booth C At this point, the system is ready to operate. The operator Op checks that the system has been put into service correctly and selects its choice. Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the system can comprise one or more elementary floors, for example two, la and lb, which can be operated individually or both at the same time. He then activates one or more other buttons

  pushers to provoke, from a distance, the desired movements.

  The correct positioning of the grating plates is controlled by a position sensor, as specified above, and confirmed by a specific indicator light. A final step fixes the state reached and authorizes

  operator penetration inside cabin C, which now has a human intervention floor. This step includes in particular the condemnation of the automatic floor control system.

  The reverse procedure allows the floors to be folded down. The operator Op first checks that nothing has remained on the gratings, then it unlocks the locking of the automatic system acting on the deployable structures. As before, he chooses either a folding of the floors one by one, or a

  overall folding. The correct positioning of the gratings in the stowed position is confirmed by an indicator light.

  The operator Op then actuates the key switch again to prohibit any operation of the floors from now on, the authorization indicator goes off, and the

  normal operation of the machines can resume in automatic production line.

  Among the technological choices made for the particular installation considered here as an example of implementation of the invention, it has been accepted that the treatment booth is equipped with two sets of floor elements and deployable structure with two series of braces , which constitute individual floors are operated in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction of the production line. In practice, moreover, provision will often be made for several pairs of opposite assemblies, to leave the rails of the central conveyor free, parallel to this longitudinal direction of the cabin. It will therefore be in particular two pairs of individual floors upside down plus one

  another central between the conveyor rails.

  However, it may be more advantageous, in other practical situations, for such assemblies equipping the cabin, produced as described for the floor 1, to be transverse deployment. This is the case of the variant implementation of the invention that we will

  now describe with reference to figure 7.

  This variant includes deployable structures which are actuated in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor rails running through the successive stations of a chain production line. It has proven to be better suited to meet in particular the needs for flexibility and operational safety, lightness and durability, the low height available between the dry floor level and the level of evolution of the machines and

  useful materials during the automated processing phases.

  FIG. 7 shows a cabin C ′ according to the invention, implemented in an automated paint spraying process on boxes of

  bodies (not shown). The latter are transported on conveyor rails Co which pass through the cabin along its longitudinal axis of symmetry Alg.

  It has been shown that the spraying of paint is carried out mainly, on either side of the axis Alg of the rails of the conveyor Co, from tank bowls placed outside the side walls of the cabin, which are designated Bpg and Bpd respectively (the indices g and d being associated with the two sides of the cabin C ', arbitrarily called left and right). Each is extended by an arm, Bg or Bd respectively, penetrating transversely into the cabin. These arms, sometimes telescopic or otherwise extensible, like the last on the right on the figure, lead the paint to paint spray guns located near the body

  being processed in the center of the cabin.

  The above assembly is completed by a roof machine 9 which has its own automatic systems. Its role consists, during the automated painting phases, of moving in order to carry out a longitudinal follow-up of the body

  by painting the front cover, the roof itself and the tailgate from above.

  Also shown in the figure are four access doors located at the ends of the cabin, one on the right pdl and pd2, the other on the left pgl and Pg2. They allow operators to enter the cabin,

  outside the automated processing phases.

  In the example illustrated, the overall floor comprises two main parts with transverse deployment, said to be lateral, respectively to the right ld and to the left lg of the entire conveyor line. Each is, in turn, subdivided into five individual deployable structure floors: ldl to ld5 on the one hand, lgl to lg5 on the other. In FIG. 7, one of the individual floors, the floor ld2, has been shown in the folded state, stored towards one of the

  side walls of cabin C '(right side in the example).

  In addition, we note, again as an example, that the widths of the individual floors are unequal: the opposite floors of the two pairs located at the end of the cabin, ldl- lgl and ld5-1g5, are narrower (here by half) than the intermediate floors divided into three other pairs, ld2 to ld4 and lg2 to lg4. To fix the ideas, the width of the individual end floors can be around 90 cm, and that of the individual intermediate floors around 2.30 m, for a total span

  8.8 m floor (along the longitudinal axis Alg).

  In the same way as for cabin C in the preceding figures, each individual floor is essentially constituted by a set of slatted floor elements, 3dl to 3d5 and 3gl to 3g5 respectively, mounted5 parallel on a carrying structure deployable horizontally, each s extending between the bars

  counterparts at the front of each cross of two sets of symmetrical cross.

  However, these floor elements are in the form of blades which are much narrower than the plates 3 of the embodiment described above, so that the height which must remain available for maneuvers remains low. Despite this, for a width of the cabin of 5.8 m between side walls, once folded (as shown for the individual floor ld2) they occupy only a storage thickness equal to 450 mm along the side walls of the

  cabin C ', which is enough to protect them from contamination by paint spray guns, without the need to protect them otherwise.

  The training of the different individual floors is carried out in a completely similar manner to what has been

  previously described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2B to 3b, 4A to 6b. It is therefore useless to rewrite the operating mode in all its details.

  It thus appears from FIG. 7 that the opposite floors such as ld and lg are actuated by two motors 7d and 7g, one for each. These motors are arranged on either side of the cabin C ′ and outside of it. They act on drive shafts 70d and 70g, 30 shown in dotted lines, which in turn act on the drive chains of the cross-member structures,

  which do not appear in the figure.

  It will be noted however that, advantageously, the guide rails common to two adjacent individual floors are double. Only one, 6 ', has been referenced so as not to overload the drawing. In other words, the rails

  have a structure of symmetry on either side of a lateral axis Ala, perpendicular to the axis Alg. With this exception, the structure of the guide rails conforms to that shown in FIGS. 4A to 4c, or 5.

  On the other hand, it may be desirable to provide between the drive shafts and the elementary floors, clutch and declutching means allowing selective coupling with each separately. This will be useful, for example, so that maintenance operators have easy access to the pit when cleaning

the scrubbers.

  Finally, in the installation of FIG. 7, the overall dry floor of the cabin comprises yet another retractable individual floor, in addition to those of the two groups above operating transversely on each side of the cabin. This additional floor works in the longitudinal direction, because it is located in the central area of the cabin, between the two conveyor rails.20 Unlike the case of cabin C in Figure 3C (assuming that it has six floors elementary working head to tail two by two), it is unique to cover the entire length of the cabin. It therefore lines up entirely towards one of the longitudinal ends. This configuration does not pose exaggerated construction problems, in particular insofar as the conveyor rails

  can be used to support the guide rails of the braces.

  On reading the above, it is easy to see that the invention achieves the goals it has set for itself. It should be clear, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments explicitly described, in particular in relation to FIGS. 1 to 7. In particular, the materials which can be used and the dimensions which have been specified are essentially linked to the 'specific application envisaged and they are the responsibility of a simple technological choice within the reach of the skilled person. The position and / or the number of accompanying cylinders can be changed. It is also possible to adopt other guide rail structures. And on the other hand, similar structures with crossbars may be suitable for other arrangements in the cabin, allowing the various plates to be stored.

  gratings flat on top of each other rather than vertically against each other.

  It should also be clear that the invention cannot be limited to the sole application to the painting of automobile bodies. It finds application for

  any cabin, enclosure or zone, in which a treatment using dirtying products takes place and which requires the presence of a floor intermittently, for equipment maintenance operations or manual treatment operations.

Claims (12)

  1. Treatment cabin for industrial installation, intended for the implementation of operations alternately involving automated treatment and treatment by operator, characterized in that it comprises at least one series of individually fixed floor elements (3) to a corresponding series of bars constituting a deployable structure (2), articulated one on the other, the deformation of said deployable structure bringing with it said floor elements (3) between two extreme configurations in which they are respectively flat one after the other, to form a continuous floor (1) for said operator treatment, and stored folded over one another towards one end of said cabin (C), protected from contamination   during said automated processing.   2. Cabin according to claim 1, characterized in that said deployable structure consists of two   symmetrical series of braces (2) arranged vertically   wedging on either side of said floor elements (3), in that each of said braces (2) in the same series consists of two bars (20, 21) mechanically coupled in rotation in their middle, in that two adjacent successive cross braces in a series are mechanically coupled in rotation by upper and lower ends of said bars, in that each of said floor elements consists of a grating plate (3) extending from a series of cross braces to the other between homologated front bars of each cross in each series, and in that said deployable structure is associated with means (4) for reversible driving of the cross (2) relative to said end of the cabin, between a deployed state (V) for which said floor elements (3e) are arranged horizontally forming said continuous floor (1), and a retracted state (I) in which said floor is rep linked, said floor elements (3a) then being stored in a position close to the vertical, one against the other others.   3. Cabin according to claim 2, characterized in that said drive means comprise motor means (7) of chains (4), protected by rails (6) for guiding the deployable structure (2), said chains (4) acting on at least one crosspiece (2) in each series at the level of the axis of articulation between the lower ends of the bars (20, 21), in particular by means of a toothed wheel (22, 23 ) integral with one (21) of its bars which is subject to a rotation shaft (26) around which the other bar (20) belonging to the adjacent cross is articulated free in rotation.   4. Cabin according to claim 3, with toothed wheels (22, 23) for driving the various cross-pieces (2), characterized in that said chains (4) are triple chains comprising three parallel paths (40, 41, 42) , in that said rotation shafts (26) of said toothed wheels (22, 23) are of a first (26 ') and a second (26 ") length, alternated from one cross to the next, so as to mesh in one (42) or the other (40) of the end paths of said triple chain (4), and in that the triple chain (4) comprises   rollers (410) on its median path (41).   5. Cabin according to claim 4, characterized   in that each chain (4) is looped on itself so as to form two superposed branches and in that said guide rails (6) comprise two compartments (660, 61), also superimposed, in which said branches travel respectively chain (4) and among which an upper compartment (60), in the shape of a "U" lying, is provided with a sliding plate (62) arranged on its lower face on which rolls said rollers (410), and a lower compartment (61), in the shape of a "C", contains said toothed wheels (22, 23) and comprises, on its lower face, slides (65, 66) for guiding said end paths (42, 40) of the chain triple (4), the two compartments (60, 61) being open towards said floor elements (3).   6. Cabin according to any one of the claims   3 to 5, characterized in that the upper walls of said rails (6 ') are inclined towards the said floor elements (3) and in that these walls are double (600', 601 '), so as to house shutters retractable inclines (63) can take a first position (63 ') for which they are fully retracted into said rails (6') and a second position (63) for which they partially protrude from the rails (6 ') and their lower ends rest on said elements   floor (3) in said deployed configuration.   7. Cabin according to any one of the claims   2 to 6, characterized in that said means (4) for driving the deployable structure comprise an electric motor (7, 7d, 7g), arranged outside the cabin (C), which ensures by a shaft of rotation (70) the motorization of two chains (4d, 4g) for driving said two series of braces (2), and in that the latter are provided at their ends with additional motorization means by pneumatic cylinders (8, 8 ' ), so as to ensure forced positioning of the deployable structure (2) in said extreme configurations, deployed and retracted, and provide assistance with the transition between these states.   8. Cabin according to any one of the claims   1 to 7, characterized in that electromechanical control circuits of said deployable structure (2) are provided, position sensors generating signals on the state of deployment of said floor elements (3) transmitted to said control circuits , and an operator console (PC) arranged outside the cabin (C) for carrying out an automatic control process of the   deployable structure (2) according to a pre-   determined. 9. Industrial chain manufacturing installation comprising a cabin according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, intended in particular for painting   automobile body cases (A), said cases (A) being transported on conveyor rails (Co) passing longitudinally through said cabin (C, C ') in its center.   10. Industrial installation according to claim 9, characterized in that said cabin (C) comprises two pairs of individual floors deploying and retracting in opposite directions in a longitudinal direction to the cabin (C), respectively on either side said conveyor rails (Co), so that, when said individual floors are retracted, said floor elements (3a, 3b) composing them are stored against each other at two ends longitudinal of the cabin (C).   11. Industrial installation according to claim 9, characterized in that said cabin (C ') comprises two   series (ld, lg) of individual floors (ldl-ld5, lgl-   lg5) arranged on either side of said conveyor rails (Co) deploying and retracting in a direction perpendicular to the latter, so that, when said individual floors (ldl-ld5, lgl-lg5) are retracted , said floor elements (3dl-3d5, 3gl-3g5) composing them are stored against each other, at two opposite lateral ends of the cabin (C ').   12. Industrial installation according to claim or 11, characterized in that said cabin (C) further comprises a central elementary floor, deploying and retracting in a longitudinal direction to the cabin (C) between said conveyor rails (Co) , so that, when this additional individual floor is retracted, said floor elements composing it are stored against each other, at one of the two longitudinal ends of the cabin (C).