Conveying system, treatment system, and conveying method

Abstract

In order to create a conveying system which is of simple construction and enables an efficient conveyance of objects, it is proposed that the conveying system comprises a first conveying device and a second conveying device, wherein the objects are able to be taken over from the first conveying device and/or are transferrable to the first conveying device by means of the second conveying device.

Claims

1. Conveying system for conveying objects, in particular vehicle bodies, wherein the conveying system comprises: a first conveying device for conveying the objects at a first speed; a second conveying device by which the objects are conveyable at a second speed along a longitudinal direction and through a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area defining a transition region between a treatment space and a further space, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed, and wherein the objects are transferrable between the first conveying device and the second conveying device; and a cover movable relative to the cross-sectional area to vary an amount of the cross-sectional area.

2. Conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second conveying device includes a lifting device, by which the objects are liftable from the first conveying device and receivable by the second conveying device.

3. Conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second conveying device includes a lifting device, by which the objects are lowerable onto the first conveying device or onto a third conveying device and transferrable to the first conveying device or the third conveying device.

4. Conveying system in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least one of: a) by the lifting device, conveying elements of the second conveying device are raisable and bringable into engagement with the objects in a positive-locking manner; or b) by the lifting device, conveying elements of the second conveying device are lowerable and bringable out of engagement with the objects.

5. Conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second conveying device extends only along a portion of a conveying path of the first conveying device.

6. Conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first conveying device is a step-wise conveyor, by which the objects are conveyable within a predetermined step cycle time from a holding position to a subsequent further holding position along a conveying path, wherein upon reaching a predetermined holding position within a step cycle of the first conveying device and/or during a dwell time of the objects at the respective holding position, the objects are receivable from the predetermined holding position and bringable to another holding position by the second conveying device.

7. Conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first conveying device or the second conveying device is a chain conveyor.

8. Conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first conveying device or the second conveying device is a chain conveyor with two separate chains, wherein the chains are synchronized with each other, and wherein one of the chains serves to convey the objects up to the second conveying device and wherein a further one of the chains serves to convey the objects away from the second conveying device.

9. Treatment plant for treating workpieces, comprising a conveying system in accordance with claim 1, wherein workpieces are conveyable through the treatment space of the treatment plant by the first conveying device and wherein the workpieces are conveyable through the transition region between the treatment space and a further space by the second conveying device.

10. Treatment plant in accordance with claim 9, wherein the transition region is a lock region for reducing an air exchange between the treatment space and the further space, and wherein the transition region extends along a conveying path of the conveying system at least so far that the transition region includes at least one holding position of the first conveying device or includes at least one such holding position if a series of holding positions of the first conveying device were extended into the transition region.

11. Treatment plant in accordance with claim 9, wherein the second conveying device includes a receiving station for receiving the workpieces and a hand-off station for handing off the workpieces, wherein the receiving station is arranged: a) in the treatment space; or b) in the transition region; or c) in the further space; and/or wherein the hand-off station is arranged: a) in the further space; or b) in the treatment space.

12. Treatment plant in accordance with claim 9, wherein the cover is introducible into a movement path of the workpieces in the transition region for temporarily reducing a connecting opening between the treatment space and the further space, and wherein by a control device of the treatment plant, the cover and the second conveying device are controllable in such a way that the cover is moved out of the movement path when a workpiece is introduced into the transition region and/or conveyed through the transition region and/or moved out of the transition region by the second conveying device.

13. Method for conveying objects, comprising: conveying the objects by a first conveying device at a first speed; conveying the objects by a second conveying device at a second speed along a longitudinal direction and through a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area defining a transition region between a treatment space and a further space, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed, and wherein the objects are transferable between the first conveying device and the second conveying device; and moving a cover relative to the cross-sectional area to vary an amount of the cross-sectional area.

14. Method in accordance with claim 13, wherein one or more holding positions, in which the objects temporarily dwell upon being conveyed by the first conveying device, are skipped by the second conveying device.

15. Method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the objects are introduced into the transition region, conveyed through the transition region and/or moved out of the transition region by the second conveying device, and wherein the cover arranged in the transition region is opened and unblocks a movement path of the objects.

16. Conveying system for conveying objects, in particular vehicle bodies, wherein the conveying system comprises: a first conveying device for conveying the objects at a first step cycle time; a second conveying device by which the objects are conveyable at a second step cycle time along a longitudinal direction and through a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area defining a transition region between a treatment space and a further space, wherein the second step cycle time is shorter than the first step cycle time, and wherein the objects are transferrable between the first conveying device and the second conveying device; and a cover movable relative to the cross-sectional area to vary an amount of the cross-sectional area.

17. Conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the second conveying device includes a lifting device, by which the objects are liftable from the first conveying device and receivable by the second conveying device.

18. Conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the second conveying device includes a lifting device, by which the objects are lowerable onto the first conveying device or onto a third conveying device and transferrable to the first conveying device or the third conveying device.

19. Conveying system in accordance with claim 17, wherein at least one of: a) by the lifting device, conveying elements of the second conveying device are raisable and bringable into engagement with the objects in a positive-locking manner; or b) by the lifting device, conveying elements of the second conveying device are lowerable and bringable out of engagement with the objects.

20. Conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the second conveying device extends only along a portion of a conveying path of the first conveying device.

21. Conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first conveying device is a step-wise conveyor, by which the objects are conveyable within a predetermined step cycle time from a holding position to a subsequent further holding position along a conveying path, wherein upon reaching a predetermined holding position within a step cycle of the first conveying device and/or during a dwell time of the objects at the respective holding position, the objects are receivable from the predetermined holding position and bringable to another holding position by the second conveying device.

22. Conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one of the first conveying device or the second conveying device is a chain conveyor.

23. Conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one of the first conveying device or the second conveying device is a chain conveyor with two separate chains, wherein the chains are synchronized with each other, and wherein one of the chains serves to convey the objects up to the second conveying device and wherein a further one of the chains serves to convey the objects away from the second conveying device.

24. Treatment plant for treating workpieces, comprising a conveying system in accordance with claim 16, wherein workpieces are conveyable through the treatment space of the treatment plant by the first conveying device and wherein the workpieces are conveyable through the transition region between the treatment space and the further space by the second conveying device.

25. Treatment plant in accordance with claim 24, wherein the transition region is a lock region for reducing an air exchange between the treatment space and the further space, and wherein the transition region extends along a conveying path of the conveying system at least so far that the transition region comprises at least one holding position of the first conveying device or at least would comprise at least one such holding position if a series of holding positions of the first conveying device were extended into the transition region.

26. Treatment plant in accordance with claim 25, wherein the second conveying device includes a receiving station for receiving the workpieces and a hand-off station for handing off the workpieces, wherein the receiving station is arranged: a) in the treatment space; or b) in the transition region; or c) in the further space; and/or wherein the hand-off station is arranged: a) in the further space; or b) in the treatment space.

27. Treatment plant in accordance with claim 25, wherein the cover is introducible into a movement path of the workpieces in the transition region for temporarily reducing a connecting opening between the treatment space and the further space, and wherein by a control device of the treatment plant, the cover and the second conveying device are controllable in such a way that the cover is moved out of the movement path when a workpiece is introduced into the transition region and/or conveyed through the transition region and/or moved out of the transition region by the second conveying device.

28. Method for conveying objects, comprising: conveying the objects by a first conveying device at a first step cycle time; conveying the objects by a second conveying device at a second step cycle time along a longitudinal direction and through a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectional area defining a transition region between a treatment space and a further space, wherein the second step cycle time is shorter than the first step cycle time, and wherein the objects are transferrable between the first conveying device and the second conveying device; and moving a cover relative to the cross-sectional area to vary an amount of the cross-sectional area.

29. Method in accordance with claim 28, wherein one or more holding positions, in which the objects temporarily dwell upon being conveyed by the first conveying device, are skipped by the second conveying device.

30. Method in accordance with claim 28, wherein the objects are introduced into the transition region, conveyed through the transition region and/or moved out of the transition region by the second conveying device, and wherein the cover is arranged in the transition region is opened and unblocks a movement path of the objects.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective depiction of a separating device and a conveying system of a treatment plant, a cover element of a separating device being arranged in an open positon;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction, corresponding to FIG. 1, of the treatment plant from FIG. 1, the cover element being arranged in a closing position;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a schematic vertical longitudinal section through the treatment plant from FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal section, corresponding to FIG. 3, through the treatment plant according to FIG. 2, a workpiece to be treated in the treatment plant also being depicted;

(5) FIG. 5 shows an enlarged depiction of region V in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 6 shows an enlarged depiction of region VI in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged depiction of region VII in FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective depiction of the conveying system from FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of the conveying system from FIG. 8;

(10) FIG. 10 shows an enlarged depiction of region X in FIG. 9;

(11) FIG. 11 shows a schematic plan view of the conveying system from FIG. 8,

(12) FIG. 12 shows a schematic vertical section through the conveying system from FIG. 8 along line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

(13) FIG. 13 shows a schematic vertical section through the conveying system from FIG. 8 along line 13-13 in FIG. 11; and

(14) FIG. 14 shows a schematic vertical section through the conveying system from FIG. 8 along line 14-14 in FIG. 11.

(15) Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(16) An embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 to 14 and designated therein as a whole with 100 is, for example, a painting plant for painting workpieces 102, which, for example, comprises different treatment spaces 104 for painting, drying, cooling, etc. the workpieces 102.

(17) For the purpose of efficient energy use, arranged between different spaces 106, in particular the treatment spaces 104, are separating devices 108 of the treatment plant 100.

(18) Such a separating device 108 is, for example, an air curtain device, and is also known under the name “airlock”.

(19) The separating device 108 serves, in particular, to minimize an air exchange between mutually adjoining spaces 106 in a transition region 110 between said spaces 106.

(20) The separating device 108 at the same time serves as a connecting opening 112, by means of which workpieces 102 can travel from one space 106 into the other space 106.

(21) For example, DE 10 2010 043 087 A1 discloses a treatment plant in which an air curtain is produced to minimize an air exchange between two spaces.

(22) Additional measures for minimizing the air exchange are desirable, in particular when the workpieces 102 are vehicle bodies and as such have a large cross sectional area in the conveyance thereof.

(23) In particular when workpieces 102 configured as vehicle bodies are conveyed in the so-called transverse manner of travel, i.e. with the respective vehicle longitudinal axis perpendicular to a conveying direction 114, through the treatment plant 100, there is an even larger cross section and thus an increased risk of an undesirably large air exchange between the spaces 106.

(24) As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 to 7, the separating device 108 of the depicted treatment plant 100 therefore comprises a cover element 116, which for the purpose of reducing a cross section of the connecting opening 112 between the spaces 106 is moveable into the connecting opening 112 or is moveable out of the same.

(25) The cover element 116 is, in particular, rotatably or pivotably mounted, for example on walls 118, in particular side walls, of the separating device 108. For this purpose, in particular, a shaft 120 extends between the walls 118. The cover element 116 is preferably fixed to said shaft 120.

(26) The shaft 120 is coupled to a drive device 122 of the separating device 108, for example by way of a drive shaft 124, such that the cover element 116 is ultimately bringable by means of the drive device 122 in a motorized, in particular automatic manner from the open position depicted for example in FIG. 3 into the closing position depicted in FIG. 4 and vice versa from the closing position into the open position by rotation of the shaft 120.

(27) In the closing position, the cover element 116 reduces the connecting opening 112 preferably by at least about 30%, for example at least about 40%, in comparison to the open position of the cover element 116.

(28) The cover element 116 thereby projects, in particular, from a cover wall 126 downward into the connecting opening 112.

(29) The larger the cover element 116 is, the more efficiently an air exchange between the two spaces 106 can be reduced by means of the cover element 116 in the closing position thereof.

(30) However, if the cover element 116 is dimensioned accordingly, a collision thereof with the workpieces 102 may occur when the latter are conveyed through the connecting opening 112.

(31) As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, in the depicted embodiment of the treatment plant 100 as well, the cover element 116 extends into a movement path 128 of the workpieces 102, i.e. the cover element 116 projects into a spatial region that is passed over by the workpieces 102 upon the conveyance of the workpieces 102 through the connecting opening 112.

(32) In order to avoid damage to the workpieces 102, the cover element 116 must thus be brought from the closing position (see FIG. 4) into the open position (see FIG. 3).

(33) The drive device 122 is provided for this purpose.

(34) By means of a control device 130, it is preferably also controllable that the cover element 116 is only arranged in the open position when a workpiece 102 actually has to be conveyed through the connecting opening 112. The rest of the time, the cover element 116 is preferably in the closing position in order to minimize the air exchange between the two spaces 106.

(35) Further, a sensor device 132 may be provided in order to, alternatively or in addition to the control device 130, activate the drive device 122 and, for example, to achieve an automatic opening of the cover element 116 upon a workpiece 102 approaching the same.

(36) Further, failure or other malfunction of the drive device 122 can preferably be prevented by means of a positioning device 134.

(37) By means of the positioning device 134, which, in particular, comprises one or more counterweights for the cover element 116 mounted, for example, eccentrically in relation to its rotational axis 136, it can be ensured, in particular, that the cover element 116 always returns to the open position without actuating the drive device 122 or otherwise activating the drive device 122.

(38) In addition to the cover element 116, the separating device 108 preferably further comprises a nozzle device 138.

(39) The nozzle device 138 corresponds in its function substantially to the nozzle device from DE 10 2010 043 087 A1, to which reference is hereby made and the content of which is hereby made subject matter of the present description.

(40) The nozzle device 138 produces, in particular, an air curtain in the transition region 110 in order to minimize an air exchange between the spaces 106.

(41) For this purpose, the nozzle device 138 comprises, in particular, a slit-shaped outflow opening 140, which is directed e.g. from the cover wall 126 downward into the transition region 110.

(42) As can be seen in particular in FIG. 5, the nozzle device 138 in the open position of the cover element 116 ends substantially into free space, such that it results in a flow in the transition region 110 that corresponds substantially to the flow described in DE 10 2010 043 087 A1.

(43) In particular, a separating fluid stream is thereby introducible into the transition region 110 by means of the nozzle device 138. Said separating fluid stream in particular is an air stream.

(44) An optimized fluidic separation of the two spaces 106 from each other is preferably achieved in the embodiment of the separating device 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 to 7 by the nozzle device 128 and the cover element 116 cooperating with each other.

(45) For this purpose, the cover element 116 is preferably arranged directly next to the nozzle device 138, in particular directly next to the outflow opening 140 of the nozzle device 138, by means of the shaft 120.

(46) By pivoting the cover element 116, i.e. by rotating the shaft 120 together with the cover element 116 arranged thereon about the rotational axis 136, the cover element 116 can preferably be brought directly against or into the vicinity of the nozzle device 138.

(47) To avoid undesired abrasion, a distance is preferably maintained between the cover element 116 and the nozzle device 138 in the closing position of the cover element 116 as well, said distance being, for example, at most about 10 cm, in particular at most about 5 cm, for example at most about 1 cm.

(48) An end 142 of the cover element 116 facing the nozzle device 138 preferably has an inlet opening 144.

(49) In the closing position of the cover element 116, the cover element 116 is preferably positioned relative to the nozzle device 138 in such a way that the outflow opening 140 is directed into the inlet opening 144, opens into the same, and/or projects into the same.

(50) Separating fluid supplied via the nozzle device 138 thus flows into the inlet opening 144 of the cover element 116.

(51) The cover element 116 preferably comprises a fluid guiding portion 146, which in particular is formed by a generally hollow configuration of the cover element 116.

(52) The separating fluid stream flowing into the cover element 116 at the inlet opening 144 can thus flow through the fluid guiding portion 146 and thus travel from the end 142 facing the nozzle device 138 to an end 148 of the cover element 116 remote from the nozzle device 138.

(53) At this end 148, which is located opposite the nozzle device 138 and thus also opposite the inlet opening 144, the separating fluid stream is able to exit the cover element 116. For this purpose, said end 148 is provided with an outlet opening 150, which is thus located opposite the inlet opening 144.

(54) The cover element 116 in the closing position thereof is preferably a nozzle extension 157 for extending the nozzle device 138.

(55) The cover element 116, in particular, is of substantially planar and/or plate-shaped configuration.

(56) The fluid guiding portion 146 is thereby, in particular, a cavity between two cover plates 152 of the cover element 116. The two ends 142, 148 are configured in particular in the form of slits, such that the inlet opening 144 is configured in particular as an inlet slit 154, while the outlet opening 150 is configured in particular as an outlet slit 156.

(57) Due to the hollow configuration of the cover element 116, and due to the dimensions being as large as possible for the purpose of high efficiency, and due to the mass being as small as possible, the cover element 116 is preferably fixed to the shaft 120 by means of one or more stiffening elements 158.

(58) The two cover plates 152 may have at least approximately identical dimensions in one, two or all three spatial directions. Alternatively thereto, provision may be made for a first of the two cover plates 152 to be of shorter configuration compared to a second of the two cover plates 152, for example by at least about 10%, preferably by at least about 25%, in particular by at least about 40%, of a maximum and/or average extent of the second cover plate 152 along a main flow direction of the separating fluid stream within the cover element 116. Both cover plates 152 preferably end together at the end 142 of the cover element 116 facing the nozzle device 140 and extend to differing extents starting therefrom in the direction of the end 148 of the cover element 116 remote from the nozzle device 138.

(59) If the shorter of the two cover plates 152 is arranged on an outer side of the cover element 116 remote from a treatment space 104, this preferably results in an admixing of air, in particular cold air, from outside of the treatment space 104. A flow cylinder producible by means of the separating device 108 is then in particular a cold air cylinder.

(60) Alternatively thereto, provision may also be made for the shorter of the two cover plates 152 to be arranged on an inner side of the cover element 116 facing a treatment space 104. This then preferably results in an admixing of air, in particular warm air, from within the treatment space 104. A flow cylinder producible by means of the separating device 108 is then in particular a warm air cylinder.

(61) The stiffening elements 158 are in particular of rib-shaped or strut-shaped configuration.

(62) As can be seen in particular in FIG. 7, a specific geometry of the outflow opening 140 and the inlet opening 144 may be provided at the transition between the nozzle device 138 and the cover element 116 to optimize flow.

(63) The outflow opening 140 is thereby preferably configured tapering toward its end, while the inlet opening 144 preferably comprises a funnel-shaped portion 160.

(64) The nozzle device 138 preferably opens into said funnel-shaped portion 160.

(65) The funnel-shaped portion 160 can result, for example, from a curvature, bending, folding or other deformation of one or both cover plates 152 of the cover element 116.

(66) In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 to 7, a cover plate 152 is kinked for example by about 25°, in particular only on one side.

(67) The distance maintained between the nozzle device 138 and the cover element 116 results in two additional slits 162, by means of which separating fluid flowing out of the nozzle device 138 is able to flow outward while bypassing the cover element 116 or by means of which fluid is able to travel from the surroundings of the nozzle device 138 and/or the cover element 116, in particular air from the spaces 106, into the cover element 116.

(68) The latter occurs in particular when the outflow opening 140 of the nozzle device 138 together with the inlet opening 144 of the cover element 116 form a suction jet nozzle 164, as a result of which an underpressure can form in the region of the additional slits 162, said underpressure then leading to the aspiration of fluid, in particular air, from the surrounding area.

(69) In particular, a targeted annular flow, preferably a flow cylinder, can be produced in the transition region 110 by way of the additional slits 162, the use of the cover element 116 in the closing position thereof resulting in a smaller height of the transition region 110 having to be bridged compared to conventional air curtains, and thus a smaller amount of separating fluid, in particular a smaller volume flow, suffices for the operation of the separating device 108, or a more efficient fluidic separation of the spaces 106 can be achieved.

(70) It may be advantageous in particular for the formation of an optimized flow cylinder if the separating device 108 comprises one or more suction openings 169, by means of which a separating fluid stream and/or another fluid stream is suctionable, in particular from a transition region 110 between the two spaces 106 and/or from one of the spaces 106 and/or from both spaces 106 (see FIG. 4).

(71) One or more suction openings 169 are arranged, in particular, in a base region 171 of the separating device 108, in particular integrated into a base.

(72) The one or more suction openings 169 are positioned and/or formed in particular in such a way that a separating fluid stream exiting the cover element 116 in the closing position of the cover element 116 is directed at the one or more suction openings 169.

(73) As mentioned above, the cover element 116 must be arranged in the closing position for as long as possible for an optimized fluidic separation of the two spaces 106.

(74) When a workpiece 102 is conveyed through the connecting opening 112, the period of time in which the cover element 116 is arranged in the open position depends on the conveying speed.

(75) The treatment plant 100 therefore preferably comprises an optimized conveying system 170, by means of which an accelerated passage of the workpiece 102 through the connecting opening 112 is possible.

(76) As can be seen in particular in FIG. 8, the conveying system 170 comprises a first conveying device 172, which is configured e.g. as a chain conveyor 174 and serves to continuously convey or convey in a step-wise manner workpieces 102, for example mounted on skids.

(77) The first conveying device 172 serves in particular to convey the workpieces 102 relatively slowly through one or more treatment spaces 104 of the treatment plant 100 in order to ultimately achieve a treatment duration of the workpieces 102 that is as long as possible on a short conveying path.

(78) If the first conveying device 172 is now used to convey the workpieces 102 through the connecting opening 112 of the separating device 108, this may result in undesirably long opening times of the cover element 116.

(79) The conveying system 170 therefore preferably comprises a second conveying device 176, which, in particular, enables a quicker conveyance of the workpieces 102 in comparison to the first conveying device 172.

(80) The second conveying device 176 thereby preferably extends along the first conveying device 172. In particular, both conveying devices 172, 176 have a common conveying direction 114 and/or a common conveying path.

(81) The second conveying device 176 serves in particular to lift the workpieces 102 individually, one after the other, from the first conveying device 172, and to convey them along the conveying direction 114 in a temporarily accelerated manner.

(82) The second conveying device 176 comprises, in particular, a receiving station 178 at which the workpieces 102 are taken over from the first conveying device 172.

(83) Further, the second conveying device 176 comprises a hand-off station 180 at which the workpieces 102, in particular, are transferred back to the first conveying device 172.

(84) The second conveying device 176 is preferably also a chain conveyor 174.

(85) Both the first conveying device 172 and the second conveying device 176 each comprise one or more conveying elements 182, by means of which the conveying devices 172, 176 engage, in particular, directly on a workpiece 102 to be conveyed or on a workpiece receptacle, for example a skid.

(86) In the case of the embodiment of the conveying system 170 depicted in FIGS. 8 to 14, the question as to whether the conveying elements 182 of the first conveying device 172 or the conveying elements 182 of the second conveying device 176 engage on the workpieces 102 depends on to what height the conveying elements 182 of the second conveying device 176 are brought relative to the conveying elements 182 of the first conveying device 172 (see in particular FIG. 12).

(87) For this purpose, the second conveying device 176 comprises a lifting device 184, by means of which the conveying elements 182 of the second conveying device 176 are adjustable in the vertical directions, i.e. are height-adjustable.

(88) Together with the conveying elements 182, the further typical components, which are therefore presently not further specified, of the second conveying device 176 configured as a chain conveyor 174 are preferably also adjusted in their respective height.

(89) The conveying elements 182 are, in particular, carriages 190 of the chain conveyor 174.

(90) For driving the conveying elements 182 of the second conveying device 176, a chain drive device 186, for example an electric motor, is preferably provided. Said chain drive device 186 is, in particular, coupled to a drive chain 192 of the second conveying device 176 by means of a cardan shaft 188 in order to be able to compensate for a varying height of the drive chain 192 by actuating the lifting device 184.

(91) The lifting device 184 preferably comprises a lifting drive 194.

(92) By means of the lifting drive 194, in particular a support frame 196 of the lifting device 184 can be moved with regard to its height relative to a base construction 198 of the second conveying device 176.

(93) One or more guide elements 200, for example guide rollers, preferably limit the possibility of movement of the support frame 196 relative to the base construction 198 to a movement exclusively in the vertical direction.

(94) The support frame 196 is preferably coupled to the base construction 198 by means of eccentric elements 202.

(95) Said eccentric elements 202 are thereby preferably bringable into different rotational orientations by means of the lifting drive 194 in order to ultimately arrange the support frame 196 and thus the conveying elements 182 of the second conveying device 176 in different height positions.

(96) By means of the lifting drive 194, the conveying elements 182 of the second conveying device 176 can thus, in particular, be brought into engagement with the workpiece 102 or an associated workpiece receptacle, for example a skid, at the receiving station 178 in order to lift the workpiece 102 from the first conveying device 172.

(97) By driving the drive chain 192 and thus the conveying elements 182 fixed thereto by means of the chain drive device 186, the respectively received workpiece 102 can then be conveyed along the conveying direction 114 to the hand-off station 180.

(98) The period of time for conveying the workpiece 102 from the receiving station 178 to the hand-off station 180 is thereby preferably at most about 50%, preferably at most about 20%, for example at most about 10%, of the period of time that would pass for the conveyance of the workpiece 102 over the same conveying path by means of the first conveying device 172.

(99) The second conveying device 176 thus is or comprises, in particular, an accelerating device 204, by means of which the workpieces 102 are conveyable in an accelerated manner in comparison to the first conveying device 172.

(100) By means of the second conveying device 176, one or more holding positions of the workpieces 102 along the conveying path of the first conveying device 172 can thereby be skipped, in particular in a step-wise conveyance of the workpieces 102. Particularly if there were one or more holding positions in the transition region 110 due to the configuration of the first conveying device 172, an undesirably long stay of the workpieces 102 in the transition region 110 can be avoided by using the second conveying device 176.