EP2595760B1 - Treatment unit and assembly for the surface treatment of objects - Google Patents

Description

1. a) wenigstens einer Behandlungskabine, die einen Behandlungsraum vorgibt;
2. b) einer Fördereinrichtung, mittels welcher die Gegenstände in den Behandlungsraum hinein und wieder aus diesem heraus förderbar sind,
   wobei
3. c) die Fördereinrichtung ein Drehelement mit einer ersten und einer zweiten Fläche umfasst, die derart angeordnet sind, dass abhängig von der Stellung des Drehelements die erste oder die zweite Fläche den Behandlungsraum zumindest bereichsweise begrenzt.

The invention relates to a treatment unit for surface treatment, in particular for painting, of objects, in particular of body parts, with

1. a) at least one treatment cabin, which specifies a treatment room;
2. b) a conveying device, by means of which the articles can be conveyed into and out of the treatment space,
   in which
3. c) the conveyor comprises a rotary member having a first and a second surface, which are arranged such that depending on the position of the rotary member, the first or the second surface at least partially limits the treatment space.

Moreover, the invention relates to a system for surface treatment, in particular for painting, of objects, in particular of body parts.

A treatment unit of the above type in the form of a painting unit is described in a German patent application, by the applicant under the file number DE 10 2009 060 649.1 filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office. There are provided on the surfaces of the rotary member stationary supports for objects to be painted, wherein a movable multi-axis application robot is arranged in the treatment room, which is an application device relative to the immovable object. A treatment center is also in the GB 2 411 853 A described.

However, there may be cases in which a particularly good treatment result can only be achieved if a plurality of relative positions between the object to be treated and a treatment device could be passed through during the treatment. For example, in an article carried by a stationary support, regions may be difficult to access for the application robot, which may be on the opposite side of the article from the application robot. A good accessibility of all surface areas of the article is particularly important in facilities for cleaning the object.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a treatment unit and a plant of the type mentioned, in which the object to be treated in the treatment room can occupy as many relative positions relative to a treatment facility.

• d) das Drehelement an einer Fläche einen Förderroboter, insbesondere einen mehrachsigen Förderroboter, trägt, mittels welchem wenigstens ein Gegenstand aufnehmbar und abgebbar ist.

This object is achieved in a treatment unit of the type mentioned in that

• d) the rotating element on a surface carries a conveyor robot, in particular a multi-axis conveyor robot, by means of which at least one object is receivable and deliverable.

According to the invention, a movable robot arm is thus used as a holder for the object, so that its position and orientation in the interior of the treatment space can be changed flexibly.

Structurally favorable, it is when the rotating element a the treatment room associated rotary wall having a first wall surface and a second wall surface opposite thereto.

If the axis of rotation of the rotary element is vertical, the forces occurring during the rotation can be handled well.

With regard to the system for surface treatment, the above object is achieved by at least one such treatment unit according to one of claims 1 to 3.

If the system comprises a plurality of such treatment units, it is favorable if transport means are provided, through which objects can be conveyed into or out of the working space of the conveyor robot into the working space of the conveyor robot. Thus, the items can be passed from a treatment center to a next treatment center. As a working space of the conveyor robot is based on the position of the conveyor robot and this surrounding volume of space to understand, which is accessible from the conveyor robot.

It is particularly advantageous if the means of transport comprise at least one transfer robot for objects, which cooperates with at least one arranged in the working space of the conveyor robot bearing structure. On such a storage structure, the object can be stored and then picked up by the Umsetzroboter and passed on.

A high transport flexibility is achieved when the transfer robot is movable.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Eingangsbereichs einer Anlage zur Oberflächenbehandlung von Karosserieteilen mit mehreren Behandlungseinheiten, die jeweils eine Behandlungskabine mit einer Drehwand umfassen, die einen Förderroboter trägt;

Figur 2

eine Ansicht von oben auf eine Lackierkabine von Figur 1, wobei eine Behandlungskabine horizontal geschnitten ist, so dass eine Behandlungseinrichtung in Form einer Spritzdüsenanordnung zu erkennen ist, und die Drehwand eine erste Arbeitsstellung einnimmt;

Figur 3

eine der Figur 2 entsprechende Ansicht der Lackierkabine, wobei die Drehwand eine gegenüber der ersten Arbeitsstellung verdrehte Zwischenstellung einnimmt;

Figur 4

eine den Figuren 2 und 3 entsprechende Ansicht der Lackierkabine, wobei die Drehwand eine zweite Arbeitsstellung einnimmt;

Figur 5

eine der Figur 3 entsprechende Ansicht einer abgewandelten Lackiereinheit, welche als Behandlungseinrichtung anstelle der Spritzdüsenanordnung einen Applikationsroboter umfasst.

Embodiments of the invention are described below explained in more detail in the drawings. In these show:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of an entrance area of a plant for the surface treatment of body parts with multiple treatment units, each comprising a treatment cabin with a rotating wall which carries a conveying robot;

FIG. 2

a top view of a paint booth from FIG. 1 wherein a treatment cabin is cut horizontally, so that a treatment device in the form of a spray nozzle arrangement can be seen, and the rotary wall assumes a first working position;

FIG. 3

one of the FIG. 2 corresponding view of the paint booth, the rotary wall occupies a relation to the first working position twisted intermediate position;

FIG. 4

a the Figures 2 and 3 corresponding view of the paint booth, the rotary wall occupies a second working position;

FIG. 5

one of the FIG. 3 corresponding view of a modified coating unit, which comprises a treatment robot instead of the spray nozzle arrangement as a treatment device.

In FIG. 1 10 shows a total of a treatment system for the surface treatment of objects 12 shown, which are exemplified in the present embodiment as body parts in the form of bumpers for motor vehicles.

With the treatment system 10, other objects can be treated as body parts, for example, as different items such as white goods, golf balls, radio panels, vehicle wheels or the like.

The treatment plant 10 comprises a delivery tunnel 14, which extends between an entrance lock 16 and an exit lock, the latter being in the in FIG. 1 shown section 18 of the treatment plant 10 can not be seen. Through the entrance lock 16 and the exit lock, the outside atmosphere surrounding the treatment facility 10 is separated from the tunnel atmosphere.

The delivery tunnel 14 is partially bounded by a tunnel housing 20. The tunnel housing 20 and the entrance lock 16 are in FIG. 1 only indicated and shown translucent, so that in the delivery tunnel 14 and in the entrance lock 16 located components can be seen. In the conveying tunnel 14, an inert gas atmosphere can be maintained in a known manner.

The bumper 12 to be treated are conveyed by means of a conveyor system 22 through the treatment plant 10, wherein the conveyor tunnel 14 specifies a corresponding conveyor track. The conveyor system 22 comprises a feed conveyor 24, by means of which the bumpers 12 to be treated are conveyed into the intake lock 16, through it and, after completion of the lock operation, further into the conveyor tunnel 14. For this purpose, the bumpers 12 to be treated are placed on the feed conveyor 24 outside of the conveyor tunnel 14 by means of a conveyor system not specifically shown.

In a corresponding manner, in the region of the exit lock, which is not visible in the section 18, there is a delivery conveyor present, by means of which the treated bumper 12 in the exit lock into, through and thereafter and after completion of the lock operation are further promoted from the delivery tunnel 14 out into the environment. The treated bumpers 12 are removed outside of the treatment plant 10 by means of a conveyor technology also not shown specifically by this discharge conveyor and fed to their further determination.

In the conveyor tunnel 14, a running rail 26 extends on this run one or more known per se multi-axis Umsetzroboter 28, which are movable in both directions and by means of which the bumper 12 can be handled. In FIG. 1 is a single such Umsetzroboter 28 to recognize.

The delivery tunnel 14 is at least partially open to one side and communicates there over largely its entire length with a plurality of treatment units 30, which are accessible via the conveyor tunnel 14. The delivery tunnel 14 is thus limited in total by the tunnel housing 20 and the existing treatment units 30.

Im in FIG. 1 to be recognized portion 18 of the treatment plant 10 are along the conveyor tunnel 14, a first cleaning unit 32 for a basic cleaning, a second cleaning unit 34 for a CO ₂ cleaning or Beflämmen the bumper 12 and a painting unit 36 for applying a paint, for example, for applying a first Basecoats, arranged.

The treatment units 30 are identical except for the treatment devices used and existing in their interior. As in particular in FIGS. 1 the example of the first cleaning unit 32 and in the FIGS. 2 to 4 Exemplary the painting unit 36 can be seen, each treatment unit 30 comprises a treatment cabin 38 and an air unit 40 communicating therewith, via which the air budget of the respective treatment unit 30 is controlled. In the case of functionally different treatment units 30, the respective treatment booths 38 are thus identical in construction but differently furnished, so that they fulfill different uses.

The treatment cubicle 38 defines a treatment space 42 bounded on three sides by vertical side walls 44, 46 and a vertical cabin wall 48 perpendicular to and between them (see, eg, FIG FIG. 2 ). The cabin wall 48 opposite a rotary member in the form of a rotary wall 50 is arranged, which serves as a conveying element about a vertical axis of rotation 52 is rotatably mounted.

The rotary wall 50 are associated with a first and a second working position, which will be discussed again below. In its working positions, it limits the treatment space 42 on the side of the treatment cabin 38 which is opposite the cabin wall 48 and spatially separates the treatment space 42 from the delivery tunnel 14.

The rotary wall 50 comprises a horizontally uniformly curved wall portion 54 with mutually parallel vertical edges and with mutually parallel horizontal, corresponding curved edges. The curved wall portion 54 thus corresponds to a wall portion of a circular cylinder and has a first, convex, ie convex wall surface 56 and an opposite second, concave, ie inwardly curved wall surface 58. The vertical and horizontal edges of the wall portion 54 each carry a flexible seal in the form of a rubber lamella, not specifically shown is.

The rotary wall 50 also includes a horizontal rotary bottom 60, which is attached to the lower end of the wall portion 54 on the concave wall surface 58 so that it is rotated during rotation of the rotary wall 50 with.

On the turntable 60, a multi-axis gripper robot 62 is attached as a conveyor robot. This gripping robot 62 defines a working space surrounding it, in which the gripping robot 62 can act and which is predetermined by the reach of the gripping robot 62 and its respective position.

Optionally, the convex wall surface 56 or the concave wall surface 58 with the gripping robot 62 can now face the treatment space 42, while the respective other wall surface 58 or 56 faces the conveyor tunnel 14. These two orientations of the wall surfaces 56, 58 define the above-mentioned first and second working position of the rotary wall 50. In the in FIG. 2 Thus, the gripping robot 62 thus faces the delivery tunnel 14 and limits its first wall surface 56 in certain areas to the treatment space 42. In the first working position of the rotary wall 50 shown in FIG FIG. 4 shown second working position of the rotary wall 50, the gripping robot 62 is thus in the treatment room 42, which is then partially bounded by the second wall surface 58.

The treatment space 42 has at the top a horizontal cabin ceiling, which is formed as a lower boundary of an air supply space 64, which in turn is based on FIG. 1 can be seen.

Downwards, the treatment space 42 is open and leads to a flow area 66, via which the treatment space 42 communicates with a first functional area 68 of the air unit 40 stands. This is in FIG. 1 easy to recognize in the first cleaning unit 32. It can also be seen there that the first functional region 68 in the upward direction is followed by a second functional region 70, into which the cabin air passes after flowing through the first functional region 68. From there, the cabin air flows into a flow channel 72. The flow channel 72 is connected on the one hand to the air supply chamber 64 above the treatment chamber 42 and on the other hand has a connection flange 74, via which the flow channel 72 - and thus the total flow path of the cabin air - with a non-specific shown exhaust duct of a likewise not specifically shown central air system of the treatment plant 10 is connected. The connection flange 74 is in the FIGS. 2 to 5 Not shown.

Depending on the function of each treatment unit 30, components for conditioning the cabin air can be arranged in the functional areas 68 and 70.

In the case of the painting unit 36, an electrostatically operating deposition unit is arranged in the first functional area 68, for example. The second functional area 70 serves as a conditioning area for cleaned cabin air.

As mentioned above, 30 different treatment facilities are also arranged in the treatment room 42 depending on the function of each treatment unit.

In the case of the painting unit 36, an application unit in the form of a stationary nozzle arrangement 76 for paint is attached to the booth wall 48 as a treatment unit, which comprises two pointed nozzles 76a, 76b pointing in the direction of the opposite rotary wall 50. Optionally, the spray nozzles 76a, 76b also movably mounted and their discharge direction be adjustable.

In the painting unit 36, air coming from the air supply space 64 flows down through the treatment space 42 to the flow area 66 and absorbs paint overspray during painting. The flow region 66 directs the cabin air, which is then loaded with overspray particles, to the first functional region 68 with the above-mentioned electrostatic precipitator in such a way that it flows through it in a direction from bottom to top. The cabin air subsequently freed from overspray particles then passes into the second functional area 70 of the air unit 40, which is arranged above the first functional area 68, where it is returned to the correct temperature and humidity in a manner known per se. From there, the cleaned cabin air is again supplied to the air supply space 64 above the treatment space 42, where it can optionally be mixed with fresh fresh air. For this purpose, the air supply chamber 64 is connected via the connection flange 74 with a fresh air source of the central air system.

At the in FIG. 5 As shown in the treatment chamber 42 shown as a treatment unit instead of the nozzle assembly 76, a stationary multi-axis application robot 78 is arranged in the treatment chamber 42, as it is known per se.

As in FIG. 1 can be seen, 26 storage tables 80 are arranged in the area between the running rail 26 with the Umsetzroboter 28 and the treatment units 30 along the running rail, on each of which a bumper to be treated 12 can be stored. Representative of all the treatment units 30 is the second cleaning unit 34 for right and left of the two storage tables 80a, 80b flanked, so that each of these two storage tables 80a, 80b can be reached by the gripper robot 62 of the second cleaning unit 34 when the rotary wall 50 assumes its first working position. Thus, the storage tables 80 or their storage area are arranged in the above-mentioned working range of the respectively associated gripping robot 62 of a specific treatment unit 30.

In the FIGS. 2 to 5 the storage table 80b is not shown, whereas a further storage table 80c assigned to the coating unit 36 can be seen, which in turn is located in FIG. 1 not shown.

Since the gripper robot 62 of the first cleaning unit 32 already cooperates with the feed conveyor 24, only the storage table 80a is assigned to it. In a corresponding manner, the last processing unit 30 arranged along the conveyor line-as a rule this is a dryer unit-is associated with only one storage table 80, since this last processing unit 30 also cooperates with the above-mentioned discharge conveyor.

The treatment units 30 can be permanently installed on the one hand. On the other hand, the treatment units 30 can each be designed as modular units, as such movable and detachable in their in FIGS. 1 shown operating position with respect to the conveyor tunnel 14 or arranged and fixed by this predetermined conveyor line. For this purpose, the individual treatment units 30 can be arranged to be movable, for example, in addition to the conveyor tunnel 30 and rails extending perpendicular thereto. In the case of module-type treatment units 30, these standardized connection units comprise all connections required for the proper operation of a treatment unit 30, such as electrical connections, one or more Supply air connections, one or more paint supply ports, one or more detergent supply ports, and the like.

The number and arrangement of individual and functionally different treatment units 30 can then be freely adjusted within the available rails to the successive treatment steps necessary for the treatment of a particular material to be treated. Optionally, the treatment units 30 are supplemented by evaporation units, in which treated objects, here the bumpers 12, can temporarily be temporarily stored for evaporation. Even such Abdunsteinheiten can be permanently installed or formed in a corresponding manner as modular units.

If then the arrangement of the treatment units 30 or such Abdunsteinheiten must be changed or an existing treatment unit 30 against a functionally different treatment unit - for example, a cleaning unit against a painting unit - to be replaced, the unit to be replaced is released and on the associated rails of the delivery tunnel 14 away hazards.

Alternatively, a transport technology may be present, by means of which a treatment unit 30 or evaporation unit to be exchanged can be lifted off the associated rails and transported away, and an exchange unit can be placed on the destination rails.

The mode of operation of a treatment unit 30 will now be described using the example of FIG FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrated painting unit 36 explained.

Throughout the treatment process within the treatment facility 10, the bumpers 12 rest on goods carriers not specifically shown, which can be handled by the gripping robots 62 and the transfer robots 28.

As an initial situation of the painting unit 36, it is assumed that the rotary wall 50 has its in FIG. 2 shown occupies first working position, in which the gripping robot 62 to the conveyor tunnel 14 points. The gripping robot 62 has already picked up a bumper 12 previously cleaned in the cleaning units 32 and 34 from the storage table 80b, which is associated with the painting unit 40 and the second cleaning unit 34. As mentioned above, this storage table 80b is in the FIGS. 2 to 4 Not shown.

The rotary wall 50 is now rotated by 180 ° about its axis of rotation 52 by means of a drive unit not specifically shown and brought into its second working position, so that their concave wall surface 58 and the rotary bottom 60 and the gripping robot 62 to the treatment room 42 have, as it FIG. 4 can be seen. During the rotational movement, the rotary wall 50 passes through an in FIG. 3 shown intermediate position. During the turning operation, the flexible rubber blades can rub against the walls of the treatment booth 42 at the edges of the wall part 54 of the rotary wall 50, without the risk of damaging these wall areas. In FIG. 3 is an envelope designated H, which is formed by the outer contour of the rotary wall 50 in the rotation thereof.

Now, the bumper 12 carried by the gripping robot 62 is painted by activating the nozzle assembly 76 and moving the bumper 12 in front of the nozzles 76a, 76b by a corresponding sequence of movements of the gripper robot 62.

The overspray occurring during painting is, as described above, flowing from the treatment space 42 Cabin air taken and deposited in the course and collected.

During the painting process, the transfer robot 28 receives on the running rail 26 an already painted bumper 12 which rests on the storage table 80c present downstream of the painting module 40, so that this storage table 80c becomes free.

When the bumper 12 has been completely painted in the treatment chamber 42 of the painting unit 36, the rotary wall 50 is again rotated by 180 ° about its axis of rotation 52, so that it now assumes its first working position again.

The gripper robot 62 places the now painted bumper 12 on the storage table 80c, from where it can be picked up by the transfer robot 28 and fed to a next treatment unit 30, not shown in the figures.

In the modified painting unit 36 according to FIG. 5 the painting operation is carried out mutatis mutandis with the only difference that the application robot 78 is movable in the treatment room 42 and the paint application by means of a coordinated movement of both the gripping robot 62 and the application robot 78 takes place. When using the application robot 78, it is also possible to more effectively coat more complex components with shaded areas and / or complex undercuts than would be possible with the nozzle arrangement 76.

The transfer robot 28 can convey bumpers 12 into or out of the working space of the transport robot into the work space assigned to a respective robot robot 62 of a particular treatment unit 30. If necessary, a bumper 12 are also transferred directly from the Umsetzroboter 28 to a gripper robot 62 or vice versa of a gripping robot 62 to the Umsetzroboter 28 without the bumper 12 is initially stored for this purpose first on a storage table 80.

Claims (7)

1. Treatment unit for surface treatment, in particular for painting, of objects, in particular of car body panels, with

   a) at least a treatment booth (38), which provides a treatment space (42);

   b) a conveying device (22), by means of which the objects (12) can be conveyed into and back out of the treatment space (42),
   wherein

   c) the conveying device (22) comprises a rotating element (50) having a first and a second surface (56, 58), which are arranged in such a way that the first or second surfaces (56, 58) at least partially border the treatment space (42) depending on the position of the rotating element (50),
   characterized in that

   d) the rotating element (50) supports on a surface (58) a conveyor robot (62), in particular a multi-axis conveyor robot, by means of which at least one object (12) can be taken and released.
2. Treatment unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating element (50) is a rotating wall (50) associated with the treatment space (42) with a first wall surface (56) and an opposing second wall surface (58).
3. Treatment unit according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the axis of rotation (52) of the rotating element (50) runs vertically.
4. Installation for surface treatment, in particular for painting, of objects, in particular of car body panels, characterized by at least one treatment unit (30) according to one of claims 1 to 3.
5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that transport means (26, 28) are provided, through which objects (12) can be conveyed into the working space of the conveyor robot (62) or out of the working space of the conveyor robot (62).
6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the transport means (26, 28) comprise at least a transfer robot (28) for objects (12) which cooperates with at least a storage structure (80) arranged in the working space of the conveyor robot (62).
7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the transfer robot (28) is traversable.

Images