Patent Application
20210346905
The invention relates to the surface treatment of vehicle bodies in which floor-bound transport trucks having dedicated on-board drives convey the vehicle bodies through a treatment chamber.
In the production of vehicle bodies, the latter pass through many different operating steps in which operations of various types are carried out on the vehicle bodies. Said operations include measures in which the vehicle body is subjected to active processing. This includes, for example, the joining of individual parts in the body-in-white, the application of paints or other material, or the drying of previously applied coatings. There are moreover measures in which the vehicle body is not subjected to active processing, such as when evaporating the vehicle body. After the build of the body-in-white, the vehicle bodies are actively or passively treated in various regions in various ways in a surface treatment facility.
In the surface treatment facilities known to date, track-bound conveying systems convey the vehicle bodies through the various operating stations in a largely invariable sequence. The rigid sequence of operating steps however limits the flexibility in terms of production.
If at all, any variation of the treatment sequence in such track-bound conveying systems is only possible if transfer devices are present. Corresponding secondary routes have to be made available herein, on account of which the complexity in terms of construction and the associated costs become very high.
It is an object of the invention to specify a surface treatment facility for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies which addresses these concepts.
This object is achieved by a surface treatment facility for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies, having:
Since the transport trucks have their dedicated onboard drives, the vehicle bodies which are fastened to the respective transport truck and are to be treated can be conveyed in a flexible and mutually independent manner. Individual variations at short notice in the production sequence of an individual vehicle body can thus also be implemented.
On account of the different atmospheres being generated in the treatment chamber and in the travel region, it can furthermore be avoided that the transport trucks are exposed to the second atmosphere that prevails in the treatment chamber. Damage to sensitive components of the transport truck can be avoided and the risk of explosions can be minimized on account thereof. Furthermore, the transport truck remains free of treatment agents which are introduced into the treatment chamber or created in the latter. These treatment agents can be, for example, an overspray which is created during painting while using rotary atomizers. Because such treatment agents cannot settle on the wheels of the transport truck, the adhesion between the wheels of the transport truck and the running surface of the floor is not compromised. For improved fire safety, the transport trucks can also carry onboard fire extinguishing installations.
The maintenance of the transport trucks in the travel region is moreover facilitated on account of the different atmospheres being generated. In a coating facility, for example, rapid venting of the coating facility has to be carried out prior to anyone being able to enter the treatment chamber. On account thereof, substances that are harmful to humans are removed from the atmosphere of the treatment chamber. By virtue of the first atmosphere in the travel region that is generated independently from that in the treatment chamber, no harmful substances are contained in said first atmosphere such that no rapid ventilation of the travel region is required prior to anyone entering the latter.
The transport trucks can travel continuously or in cycles in the travel region. In a cycled travel mode, the transport trucks can travel simultaneously or in a temporally offset manner.
The transport trucks in the travel region herein are preferably guided in an optical manner by way of structures in the travel region, for example markings on the floor of the travel region. Alternatively, electronic markers and/or wireless systems with the aid of which the transport trucks are guided in the travel region may also be provided. Furthermore, a barcode system with the aid of which the position and speed of the transport trucks are controlled may also be provided in the travel region. It is also conceivable for mechanical guides for positioning the transport trucks to be disposed in the travel region. Alternatively or additionally to signal emitters or camera systems of the transport trucks, stationary camera systems or other sensors which detect the location and/or the speed of the transport trucks and relay said location and/or speed to a central controller may be provided.
The first atmosphere and/or the second atmosphere can in particular be actively generated. In the case of active generation, the surface treatment facility comprises preferably energy-powered means and varies the first and/or the second atmosphere in relation to the environment and/or in relation to the respective other atmosphere. The term “generating” can also be understood to include an already existing atmosphere being passively maintained. In this case, an already existing atmosphere, for example an atmosphere existing in a production building, is maintained in the respective region (usually the travel region). This can under circumstances require measures such as insulating walls, ventilation ducts or passages which enable the external atmosphere to spread into the respective region. In most cases, the second atmosphere in the treatment chamber is actively generated, while the first atmosphere prevalent in the travel region is passively generated. However, cases in which both the first and the second atmosphere are actively generated are also conceivable.
The surface treatment facility at the entry and exit of the treatment chamber can comprise doors or locks through which the vehicle bodies to be treated are moved.
A substantially gas-tight delimitation by way of the housing is to be understood in that the gas contained in the treatment chamber, if at all, can flow out of the treatment chamber in negligibly minor quantities when the doors or locks are closed (for instance through the gap).
The first atmosphere preferably differs from the second atmosphere on account of at least one parameter, wherein the parameter is selected from the group comprising: temperature, pressure, air humidity, chemical composition, flow rate, flow direction, and particle load.
As has already been mentioned above, it is advantageous in a coating facility to keep the particle load low in the region of the transport truck. A precipitate of overspray on the floor of the travel region and/or on the transport truck per se is in particular avoided on account thereof.
When the treatment chamber serves for drying, the temperature in the region of the transport truck should be kept lower than in the treatment chamber so as to prevent any damage to electronic or other sensitive components of the transport truck. No complex cooling or heat-protection measures are required on the transport truck on account thereof. Furthermore, the heating and cooling requirement can be individually adapted on account of the treatment chamber and the travel region being differently temperature-controlled, on account of which the energy consumption of the facility is reduced.
In one exemplary embodiment, an atmospheric separation installation which impedes or prevents any exchange of atmospheres, at least from the treatment chamber to the travel region, is provided.
Impeding or preventing exchange of atmospheres in the opposite direction, that is to say from the travel region to the treatment chamber, is additionally possible, but the objective of the separated atmospheres is to keep the second atmosphere of the treatment chamber, which is potentially damaging to the transport truck, away from the transport truck. Consequently, it is typically not necessary to prevent or impede any ingress of the atmosphere of the travel region into the treatment chamber.
The atmospheric separation installation can be active or passive.
A sealing device which is disposed in or on the gap can be provided as the passive atmospheric separation installation. Such a passive sealing device can in particular comprise blinds, flaps, sealing sleeves, sealing brushes, a sand tray seal, or a combination of these sealing devices.
It is particularly advantageous for such a passive sealing device to have elastic properties. The gap is thus completely closed by means of the sealing device when no part of the fastening installation of the transport truck is situated in the gap. The sealing device is deflected by parts of the fastening installation when a transport truck travels through the facility.
A fan by means of which an air flow which impedes or prevents any exchange of atmospheres, at least from the treatment chamber to the travel region, is able to be generated can be provided. The fan can be disposed on and fastened to the respective transport truck; a stationary fan or a fan assembled in the travel region is however also conceivable.
The air flow is preferably an air curtain which closes the gap in an at least almost air-tight manner. The term air curtain is to be understood to be a substantially laminar flow in the form of a compact area. The flow is generated by means of a slot nozzle or a plurality of nozzles which are disposed along a straight or curved line. Apart from air, other gas mixtures or a pure gas may also exit the nozzle or nozzles.
The air flow in an air curtain runs transversely to the direction along which air would flow between the treatment chamber and the travel region in the presence of a pressure gradient.
For example, the air curtain can be generated across the entire length of the gap by stationary fans. Should the gap be sealed by a sealing device, the air curtain can also be locally generated by a fan which is carried onboard the transport truck in order for the sealing effect to be increased in the region of the transport truck.
Alternatively, the air flow can be blown into the treatment chamber so as to prevent the air of the treatment chamber entering the travel region. In this case, the air flow runs counter to the direction along which air would flow between the treatment chamber and the travel region in the presence of a pressure gradient. On account thereof, the impulse of the blown air acts into the treatment chamber, on account of which the air in the treatment chamber is more intensely forced back. An ingress of air from the treatment chamber into the travel region can thus be prevented.
In one exemplary embodiment, the transport truck in the travel region is able to be at least temporarily moved by means of a drive system which is installed in the travel region and is independent of the drive that is able to be carried onboard said transport truck. On account of this additional drive system, driving the transport truck through the surface treatment facility is independent from the conditions in terms of friction between the wheels of the transport truck and the running floor. Driving the transport truck without slippage is thus possible under poor frictional conditions between the wheels of the transport truck and the running floor. This facilitates precise positioning of the vehicle body in the treatment chamber, for example relative to application apparatuses that are disposed therein. Camera systems which assist in positioning the vehicle body can be additionally disposed in the treatment chamber.
A simultaneous operation of both drives may also be advantageous. Variable speeds and spacings of transport trucks in relation to one another can thus be set while at the same time providing a high level of accuracy in terms of positioning. Furthermore, higher speeds are possible in environments in which there is little adhesion between the wheels of the transport truck and the running floor.
The additional drive system in at least part of the travel region is connected in a form-fitting manner to the transport truck. Particularly reliable and precise driving of the transport trucks independently of the conditions in terms of friction in the travel region results on account thereof. On account thereof it is furthermore also possible for comparatively steep gradients to be negotiated by the transport truck. Chain conveyors, gear-and-rack conveyors, or drag conveyors are preferable as drive systems of this type.
The drive that is able to be carried onboard can be supplied with external energy. It is generally more favorable for an energy accumulator which is able to be carried onboard the transport truck and which supplies the drive that is able to be carried onboard with energy to be provided. No lines for the supply of energy to the transport trucks and which may represent an obstacle and a risk in the operation of the facility are required on account thereof.
In one exemplary embodiment, an adjustment device which in the treatment space is specified for providing the fastening installation and the vehicle body fastened thereto at a variable height is provided. Particularly flexible handling of the vehicle bodies to be treated results on account thereof, the surfaces of the vehicle body being better accessible to the treating application installations in the treatment space on account thereof. An adjustment device of this type can also be utilized for stabilizing the vehicle bodies when being treated in the treatment chamber in that the vehicle bodies are lowered by being lowered onto rails or other guide elements, or by being lifted are pressed against rails or other guide elements.
Depending on the type of treatment it can be favorable for the adjustment device to be additionally able to tilt and rotate the vehicle bodies.
The adjustment device is preferably pneumatically operated; the adjustment device can however also be driven by means of one or a plurality of electric motors.
The mounting installation can be part of the adjustment device; other units which are of a separate construction may however also be considered.
If an adjustment installation is dispensed with, the application installations can have handling devices which are more variable and more flexible.
In one exemplary embodiment, a monitoring installation which is disposed on the transport truck and for checking the spacing of transport trucks from objects and/or people has a monitoring region is provided, wherein the size of the monitoring region and/or the position of the monitoring region relative to the transport truck are/is variable. Collisions between the transport trucks and other transport tracks, and parts of the surface treatment facility or people are avoided on account thereof. A monitoring region is understood to be the region in which the monitoring installation emits a warning signal should an object and/or a person be situated in this region. The monitoring installation sends a command to the control system of the transport truck, said command leading to the transport truck adapting its position.
Adapting the size and/or position of the monitoring region between the operation of the transport truck in the travel region and outside the travel region where the transport truck moves away from the treatment chamber is preferable. The monitoring region can thus be reduced in size when the transport truck is situated in the travel region, because the spacings between transport trucks and objects and/or other transport trucks are smaller there than outside the travel region. Since the risk of collision in the travel region is reduced by virtue of the mostly rectilinear profile of the travel region and the mostly uniform speed of the transport trucks, it may even be considered that the monitoring installation is completely switched off in the travel lane. The smaller monitoring region leads to the spacing between the transport trucks being able to be set so as to be smaller, on account of which an efficient operation of the surface treatment facility is achieved.
A manufacturing facility for producing vehicles, having a surface treatment facility according to the invention is furthermore a subject matter of the invention.
It is moreover an object of the invention to specify a method for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies, said method taking into account the concepts mentioned at the outset.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for the surface treatment of vehicle bodies, in which method:
wherein a first atmosphere is generated in the travel region, and a second atmosphere which differs from the first atmosphere is generated in the treatment chamber.
In one exemplary embodiment, an exchange of atmospheres at least from the treatment chamber to the travel region is impeded or prevented by an atmospheric separation installation.
In one exemplary embodiment, the atmospheric separation installation is a fan by means of which an air flow which impedes or prevents an exchange of atmospheres at least from the treatment chamber to the travel region is generated.
In another exemplary embodiment, the transport truck is at least temporarily moved in the travel region by means of a drive system which is installed in the travel region and is independent of the drive that is able to be carried onboard said transport truck.
In one further exemplary embodiment, a monitoring installation which is disposed on the transport truck by way of a monitoring region checks the spacing of the transport trucks from objects and/or people, wherein the size of the monitoring region and/or the position of the monitoring region relative to the transport truck are/is variable, and wherein the monitoring region is decreased when the transport truck enters the travel region and/or is increased when said transport truck exits the travel region.
In one exemplary embodiment, the spacing of successive transport trucks in the travel region is varied. Utilizing the space in an optimal manner and adapting to bodies of different sizes is enabled and any collision between the transport trucks and/or bodies and objects and/or people is prevented on account thereof.
Alternatively, the mutual spacing of the transport trucks as a function of the body size of the vehicle body transported can be set in advance and maintained during the operation.
In one exemplary embodiment, the direction of movement of the transport truck is varied. A particularly flexible design of the manufacturing line results on account thereof because the processing stations do not have to be mandatorily disposed so as to be mutually aligned behind one another in one line. Instead, the processing stations can be freely disposed on the available space and be approached by the transport trucks in that the latter change their direction of movement.
In one further aspect of the invention, the travel region comprises a maintenance region which for safe servicing of a defective transport truck is completely closed off by a barrier. The maintenance region herein is disposed in such a manner that an operation of the functioning transport trucks is possible while the latter are being serviced. The barrier preferably comprises a door by means of which maintenance personnel or maintenance installations, for example a robot, have access to the defective transport truck.
The travel region furthermore comprises a thrust or drag installation by way of which a defective transport truck can be removed from the travel region. Alternatively, a functioning transport truck can be specified for removing a defective transport truck from the travel region. The functioning transport truck can push or drag the defective transport truck out of the travel region.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail hereunder by means of the drawings in which:
The vehicle bodies 12 are releasably fastened to fastening installations 18 which are connected to transport trucks 20 and supported by the latter. The transport trucks 20 are disposed in a travel region 22 having a running floor 23. The travel region 22 is disposed below the treatment chamber 14 and separated from the treatment chamber 14 by the floor 7 of the housing 15. The floor 7 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated also supports the application installations 16. Alternatively thereto, additional support structures such as longitudinal beams or the like, which support the application installations 16, can extend in the treatment chamber. Moreover, the application installations 16 can also be fastened to another part of the housing 15, for example suspended on one of the lateral walls 8 or on the ceiling 6 of the housing 15.
The transport trucks 20 have wheels 26 by way of which the transport trucks 20 are moved in the conveying direction F on the running floor 23 of the travel region 22. The wheels are preferably omnidirectional running wheels. On account thereof, the transport trucks 20 are able to be maneuvered in a particularly flexible manner in the tightest space. Furthermore, the transport trucks 20 have dedicated onboard drives 21.
The transport trucks 20 comprise deployable adjustment devices 24 by way of which the position of the vehicle bodies 12 in the treatment chamber 14 can be varied. In
The adjustment devices 24 can also be embodied in such a manner that said adjustment devices 24 pivot the fastening installations 18 about one axis or a plurality of axes. Alternatively thereto, the adjustment devices 24 to this end can be integrated in the fastening installations 18, as is the case in a scissors lift, for example, a vehicle body 12 being able to be directly fastened to the table of said scissors lift.
A lock 25 is disposed at the exit of the travel region 22. The lock 25 can in particular be a mechanical element, for example a flap. However, an air curtain is also conceivable as the lock 25.
A lock of an identical type is preferably also situated at the entry into the travel region 22 (not illustrated). Locks can also be disposed at the entry and exit of the treatment chamber 14.
The transport trucks 20 by means of dedicated drives which are able to be carried on board travel in the conveying direction F through the travel region 22. The vehicle bodies 12 are transported through the treatment chamber 14 by the transport trucks 20 and treated by the application installations 16. The adjustment devices 24 herein can lift or lower the vehicle body 12 in the treatment chamber when required.
The vehicle bodies 12 are subsequently transported out of the treatment chamber 14 by the transport trucks 20 and can be supplied to a further treatment station.
In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Should a plurality of distance monitoring sensors 34 be provided, the latter can be disposed so as to be distributed on the surface of the transport truck 20, for example on the front side and the rear side and on the sides of the transport truck 20 so as to enable monitoring in a large area around the respective transport truck 20.
A positive pressure is created in the travel region 22 on account of the air being supplied into the travel region, this in turn preventing or impeding any ingress of the atmosphere of the treatment chamber 14 into the travel region 22. Alternatively, the positive pressure can be at least locally generated in the proximity of the transport truck 20 by means of a compressed-gas reservoir that is carried on board the transport truck 20. In order for explosions to be avoided, the gas contained in the compressed-gas reservoir is preferably nitrogen or any other explosion-preventing gas.
This in comparison to
It is however also conversely conceivable that a multiplicity of gear wheels 44 are assembled so as to be locationally fixed along the travel region. The gear wheels 44 are driven by means of an electric motor, for example. The rack 42 in this case is assembled on the transport truck 20. The gear wheels 44 engage in a likewise form-fitting manner in the rack 42. The transport truck 20 is displaced along the travel region 22 on account of the gear wheels 44 being driven and connected in a form-fitting manner to the rack 42 that is fastened to the transport truck 20.
The size of the monitoring region U can be made a function of the treatment process. For example, the monitoring region U in a coating facility, in which the vehicle bodies 12 are to be spaced apart in a comparatively wide manner may be larger than the monitoring region U in a drying facility.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2018 123 270.5 | Sep 2018 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/074237 | 9/11/2019 | WO | 00 |
