ARRANGEMENT HAVING PLURAL TEMPERATURE-CONTROL STATIONS FOR HEAT TREATING COMPONENT PARTS, AND THEIR HANDLING

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for heat treating component parts. The arrangement has a first temperature control station for heat treating component parts and a second temperature control station for heat treating component parts, wherein the first temperature control station and the second temperature control station each have a temperature control device, on each of which a functional device is placeable. The functional device is a charging device for carrying component parts to be temperature-controlled or a device of the temperature control device. The arrangement further has a charging station, on which the functional device is placeable, and a handling system for handling the functional device, wherein the handling system is configured to convey the functional device between the charging station, the first temperature control station and the second temperature control station.

Claims

1-23. (canceled)

24. Arrangement for heat treating component parts, the arrangement having a first temperature control station for heat treating component parts, a second temperature control station for heat treating component parts, wherein the first temperature control station and the second temperature control station each have a temperature control device, on each of which a functional device is placeable, wherein the functional device is a charging device for carrying component parts to be temperature-controlled or a device of the temperature control device, a charging station, on which the functional device is placeable, and a handling system for handling the functional device, wherein the handling system is configured to convey the functional device between the charging station, the first temperature control station and the second temperature control station, wherein the first temperature control station, the second temperature control station and the charging station are arranged successively along an apposition.

25. Arrangement according to claim 24, further having at least one further, in particular four further, temperature control stations for the heat treatment of component parts, wherein the further temperature control station has a temperature control device, in which a functional device is placeable, wherein the handling system is configured to convey the functional device between the at least one charging station and the temperature control stations.

26. Arrangement according to claim 24, further having at least one further charging station, on which the functional device is placeable, wherein the handling system is configured to convey the functional device between the charging stations and the temperature control stations.

27. Arrangement according to claim 24, further having a storage station, at which the handling system and/or the functional device is storable, wherein the handling system is configured to convey the functional device between the storage station, the at least one charging station and the temperature control stations.

28. Arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the at least one charging station and the temperature control stations are arranged side by side along a linear apposition, wherein the handling system is configured movably parallel to the linear apposition.

29. Arrangement according to claim 25, wherein the at least one charging station and the temperature control stations are arranged side by side along a circular apposition, wherein the handling system is disposed at the center of the circular apposition.

30. Arrangement according to claim 29, further having a rotary table, which is disposed on a floor at the center of the circular apposition, wherein the handling system is placed at the center on the rotary table in such a way that the handling system is rotatable in its orientation by rotating the rotary table.

31. Arrangement according to claim 29, wherein a first group of the at least one charging station and the temperature control stations are arranged side by side along the circular apposition, wherein a second group of the temperature control stations are arranged side by side along a further circular apposition, wherein the circular apposition and the further circular apposition overlap, wherein the handling system is arranged in such a way that the handling system is movable, in particular linearly, between the center of the circular apposition and a further center of the further circular apposition.

32. Arrangement according to claim 31, further having a further rotary table, which is arranged on a floor in the further center of the further circular apposition, wherein the handling system is placeable in the further center on the rotary table in such a way that the handling system is rotatable in its orientation by rotating the further rotary table.

33. Arrangement according to claim 24, further having a control unit, which is coupled to the handling system, the temperature control stations and the at least one charging station, wherein the control unit is configured to automatically control the handling system, the temperature control stations and the at least one charging station.

34. Arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the handling system has a transport device having a base frame, which is transportable along a floor, and a fastening device, which is coupled to the base frame, wherein the fastening device is configured to selectively fasten the functional device to the base frame, wherein the base frame is configured such that the base frame is transportable for transporting the functional device between a set-up location, at which the functional device is selectively attachable to the base frame, and a temperature control location in the temperature control device.

35. Arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the base frame is formed along a base plane, wherein the fastening device is movable perpendicularly or parallel to a base plane; in particular wherein the transport device has at least one first guide structure, which is fixed to the base frame and extends perpendicular to the base plane, wherein the fastening device has a first guide carriage, which is movably coupled to the first guide structure, wherein the first guide carriage is selectively coupleable to the functional device.

36. Arrangement according to claim 35, wherein the first guide carriage has a controllable fastening element, in particular a clamping jaw, wherein the controllable fastening element is adjustable into a release position, in which the functional device is decoupled from the controllable fastening element, and is adjustable into a clamping position, in which the functional device is coupled to the controllable fastening element.

37. Arrangement according to claim 35, wherein the transport device has at least one second guide structure which is fixed to the base frame and extends perpendicular to the base plane, wherein the fastening device has a second guide carriage, which is movably coupled to the second guide structure, wherein the second guide carriage is selectively coupleable to the functional device, wherein the first guide carriage and the second guide carriage are arranged such that the guide carriages are opposite to each other with respect to the functional device.

38. Arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the transport device has a further fastening device, wherein the further fastening device is movable perpendicular to the base plane.

39. Arrangement according to claim 38, wherein the further fastening device has a further first guide carriage, which is movably coupled to the first guide structure, wherein the further first guide carriage is selectively coupleable to the functional device or to a further functional device.

40. Arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the further fastening device has a further second guide carriage, which is movably coupled to the second guide structure, wherein the further second guide carriage is selectively coupleable to the functional device or the further functional device, wherein the further first guide carriage and the further second guide carriage are arranged such that the further guide carriages are opposite to each other with respect to the functional device; in particular further having the further functional device, which is formed as a device of the temperature control device, in particular as a guide cylinder and/or as a furnace hood, wherein the further functional device is selectively coupleable to the further fastening device, wherein the functional device is, by the fastening device, and the further functional device is, by the further fastening device, movable relative to each other.

41. Arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the functional device forms a gripper unit, to which a component part is selectively coupleable, wherein the gripper unit is selectively attachable to the base frame by the attachment device; in particular wherein the gripper unit has a gripper frame and a rod unit having a plurality of rods, in particular rods parallel to each other, wherein the rod unit is formed to be movable relative to the gripper frame and/or together with the gripper frame relative to the base frame in such a way that the rods are insertable into engagement openings of support elements, on which the component parts are placeable in order to transport the support elements.

42. Arrangement according to claim 33, wherein the transport device has a rail guide member and a guide rail, whereby the guide rail is fixable on a floor, wherein the rail guide member is coupled to the base frame and is coupleable to the guide rail such that the base frame is movable along the guide rail.

43. Method for heat treating component parts, the method having heat treating component parts in a first temperature control station, heat treating component parts in a second temperature control station, wherein the first temperature control station and the second temperature control station each have a temperature control device, on each of which a functional device is placeable, wherein the functional device is a charging device for carrying component parts to be temperature-controlled or a device of the temperature control device, placing the functional device on a charging station, and handling of the functional device by a handling system, wherein the handling system is configured to convey the functional device between the charging station, the first temperature control station and the second temperature control station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] In the following, for further explanation and better understanding of the present invention, embodiment examples are described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0074] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show schematic representations of an arrangement having a linear apposition of temperature control stations and charging stations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 show schematic representations of an arrangement having a circular apposition of temperature control stations and charging stations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement having a circular apposition and a further circular apposition of temperature control stations and charging stations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a charging device having a carrier element and/or a carrier column and a support element as a base body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0078] FIGS. 9 and 10 show schematic representations of a handling system having a gripper unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0079] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of a handling system having fastening devices for gripping furnace hoods according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0080] Same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The representations in the figures are schematic.

[0081] FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show schematic representations of an arrangement having a linear apposition 2306 of temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305 for heat treating component parts, charging stations 2311, 2312 and a storage location 2310 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a sixth temperature control station 2401 is additionally shown.

[0082] The temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305 each may have a temperature control device 701, in each of which a functional device may be placeable. The functional device may for example be a charging device 100 for carrying component parts 101 to be temperature-controlled, in particular a charging device as shown in FIG. 8, a guide cylinder 801 or a furnace hood 902, 903. Furthermore, the arrangement may have two charging stations 2311, 2312, on which the functional devices may be placeable. The arrangement may further have a handling system 600 for handling the functional device, wherein the handling system 600 may be configured to transport the functional device between the charging station 2311, 2312, the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 and the storage location 2310.

[0083] The temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 may describe a location or station, at which a temperature control device may be provided. Herein, the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 may have at least one temperature control device 701 on which the component parts 101 to be temperature-controlled may be superimposable, in particular when they may be placed in the charging device 100. For example, in the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401, corresponding furnace hoods 901, 902 of temperature control stations 701 may be placed, which together with corresponding furnace bases may thermally insulate the component parts 101 from the environment. In FIG. 2, corresponding furnace hoods 902, 903 may be arranged, respectively, at the third temperature control station 2303 and at the fourth temperature control station 2304.

[0084] In the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 the component parts 101 may be temperature-controlled, i.e. heated or actively cooled. Furthermore, the component parts may also be kept in the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 at a defined temperature for a predetermined period of time.

[0085] In the charging stations 2311, 2312, the component parts 101 may be prepared for the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 and may be charged accordingly. For example, the above described support elements 105 and carrier elements 103 of the device 100 may be placed on a charging station 2311, and equipped with the component parts 101. For example, the fastening device 602 of the handling system may grip the charging device 100 and/or the gripper frame 1702 from the charging station 2311, and may feed them to a corresponding temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401.

[0086] Furthermore, the arrangement may have a storage station 2310, at which the handling system 600 and/or the functional device may be storable. The storage station 2310 may thus form a placeholder between the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 and the charging stations 2311, 2312. For example, a batch of component parts 101 that may already be temperature-controlled may be stored on the storage station 2310, while the handling system 600 may already convey further functional units, such as for example a further batch of component parts 101 to be temperature-controlled or a furnace hood 902, 903. Furthermore, furnace hoods 902, 903 of a temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 may be stored in order to enable the handling and the access to component parts 101 in this temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401.

[0087] The handling system 600 may convey a batch of component parts 101 to a temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401, while a further batch of component parts 101 may already be being prepared on the charging station 2311, 2312. While the one batch of component parts 101 may be temperature-controlled in a temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401, temperature-controlled component parts may be conveyed to the other temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 or may be fed to this further temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401. It may also be possible that the handling system 600 also lifts and conveys the furnace hoods 901, 902 of the respective temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 (see FIG. 8 to FIG. 12) in order to ensure the access to the temperature-controlled component parts 101 and/or the temperature control device of the temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401.

[0088] In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an exemplary drive system for the handling system 600 is also shown. The transport device of the handling system 600 may have a rail guide element and guide rails 2402. The guide rails 2402 may be fixable on a floor, wherein the rail guide element may be coupled to the base frame 601 and may be coupleable to the guide rails 2402 in such a way that the base frame 601 may be movable along the guide rails 2402. The guide rails 2402 may, for example, be embedded and/or fixed in a floor, and may lead (or guide) in a desired moving direction of the transport device 600. The rail guide element may, for example, have a rubber wheel or a metal wheel, which may be detachably coupled to the guide rails 2402 and may be movable along the guide rails 2402.

[0089] The handling system 600 may be configured, for example, movably parallel to the linear apposition 2306.

[0090] The charging stations 2311, 2312 may also be embodied movably, and/or a movable base body 102 may be placed at a charging station 2311, 2312, on which [base body] a plurality of charged component parts 101 may already be placed, in particular on corresponding carrier elements 103 and/or support elements 105 (see FIG. 1, FIG. 16). Thus a base body 102 that may be equipped with a plurality of carrier elements 103 may be moved to the charging station 2311, 2312, wherein subsequently the handling system 600 may pick up the base body 102 and/or the plurality of support elements 105, and may move on to the corresponding temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401.

[0091] Furthermore, a control unit 2307 may be coupled to the handling system 600, the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401 and the charging stations 2311, 2312. The control unit 2307 may be configured to automatically control the handling system 600, the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401, and the charging stations 2311, 2312. The arrangement may be operated automatically by the control unit 2307 in such a way that the handling system 600 may be moved, in particular based on control programs, and the temperature control devices may be operated automatically at the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401.

[0092] In FIG. 3, movement directions of the handling system 600 are further represented by the movement arrows. The handling system 600 may, for example, be moved in parallel along the linear apposition 2306 of the individual stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312, 2401 and may, at one of a predetermined position equip or unload the respective station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312, 2401 by the handling system 600 being extendable in the direction of the respective station.

[0093] Furthermore, in FIG. 3, hall supports 2501 are represented. The hall supports 2501 may, for example, be arranged between two adjacent stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312, 2401. The distribution of the hall supports 2501 may allow that the arrangement may be set up in a statically simple and robust hall. Correspondingly, a required hall area may be saved.

[0094] FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 show schematic representations of an arrangement having a circular apposition (or circular arrangement) 2601 of temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, a storage station 2310, and charging stations 2311, 2312, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The handling system 600 may be arranged in the center of the circular apposition 2601. According to the circular apposition 2601, the centers and/or the center points of the respective stations (temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, storage station 2310 and charging stations 2311, 2312) may be arranged along an imaginary circle spaced at a distance from each other.

[0095] With the circular apposition, the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, the storage station 2310 and the charging stations 2311, 2312 may be placed closely together around the handling system 600. The handling system 600 may thus reach each station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312 in a short distance. The handling system 600 may rotate and, due to the rotation of its orientation, may adjust to a desired station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312. Subsequently, the handling system 600 may, for example with its base frame 601 and/or the gripper frame 1702, be extended translationally from the center in the direction of the respective station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312 in order to place or remove the corresponding functional devices, such as for example the charged component parts 101 or the furnace hoods 902, 903.

[0096] In the exemplary embodiment, the arrangement may have a rotary table (or turntable) 2602, which may be arranged on a floor in the center of the circular apposition 2601. The handling system 600 in the center on the rotary table 2602 may be placed in such a way that by rotating the rotary table 2602 the handling system 600 may be rotatable in its orientation. For example, guide rails may be formed on the rotary table 2602, into which the rail guide elements of the base frame 601 may be coupled. When the rotary table 2602 is in a desired rotational position, the guide rails of the rotary table 2602 may be aligned accordingly with the guide rails 2402 in the floor so that the base frame 601 may be moved along the guide rails of the rotary table 2602 and the guide rails 2402 in the floor, which may lead towards the desired station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312.

[0097] In FIG. 5, plural operating positions of the handling system 600 are shown by way of example. In one operating position, the rotary table 2602 may be aligned in the direction of the second temperature control station 2302. The first temperature control station 2301, the second temperature control station 2302, the third temperature control station 2303 as well as the fifth temperature control station 2305 may, for example, be in the operating mode heating H and heat a batch of component parts 101. The base frame 601 of the handling system 600 may be extended from the rotary table 2602 in the direction of the second temperature control station 2302 and may partially surround the second temperature control station 2302. In this position, the handling system 600 may, for example, lift and convey a furnace hood 902.

[0098] The rotary table 2602 may also be rotated further, so that in a further operating position the handling system 600 may, for example, enclose the fifth temperature control station 2305, and accordingly may handle a furnace hood 902, 903 or a batch of component parts 101.

[0099] Furthermore, a further operating position is shown, in which the handling system 600 may place a furnace hood 903 on the storage location 2310. The furnace hood 903 may be stored at storage location 2310 until a further use may be planned.

[0100] Furthermore, in FIG. 5, the charging device 100, for example from FIG. 8, may be represented on the second charging station 2312, on which a plurality of component parts 101, such as wire bundles, may be combined to form a batch. The entire batch may be picked up by the handling system 600 and placed at one of the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305 for temperature-controlling. In this respect, it is shown by way of example that the process step of cooling K of a batch of component parts 101 may be carried out in the fourth temperature control station 2304. Each individual temperature control station 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305 may, for example, be used for cooling K or for heating H of the component parts 101, and may be equipped with appropriate heating hoods or cooling hoods.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of corresponding stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312 may be served and operated in a very small space with one handling system 600. With the control unit 2307, a fully automatic operation of the handling system 600 as well as of the plurality of stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2310, 2311, 2312 may be carried out.

[0102] In FIG. 6, the directions of movement of the handling system 600 are represented by way of example. Furthermore, a plurality of hall supports 2501 is represented. For example, hall supports 2501 may be arranged along the circular apposition 2601, so that a statically stable large-area hall may be provided for arranging the arrangement in a simple and robust manner.

[0103] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement having a circular apposition 2601 and another circular apposition 2901 of temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, charging stations 2311, 2312, and storage stations 2310 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] A first group of the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, the storage station 2310 and the charging stations 2311, 2312 may be arranged side by side along the circular apposition 2601, wherein a second group of the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305 and the storage station 2310 may be arranged side by side along a further circular apposition 2901. The circular apposition 2601 and the further circular apposition 2901 may overlap, wherein the handling system 600 may be arranged in such a way that the handling system 600 may be movable, in particular linearly, between the center of the circular apposition 2601 and a further center of the further circular apposition 2901.

[0105] Both circular appositions 2601, 2901 may overlap and may each have spaced centers from which the handling system 600 may serve the respective group of stations. The two circular appositions 2601, 2901 may have, at a common position between their stations, a gap and/or a distance, through which the handling system 600 may be movable between the centers.

[0106] The arrangement may have a further rotary table 2902, which may be arranged on a floor in the further center of the further circular apposition 2901. With the configuration shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of temperature control stations (S1 to S8) may be operated in a heating mode or a cooling mode independently of each other. Furthermore, for example, the charging station 2311 (C-in) may represent the input of a batch of component parts 101, which may subsequently be conveyed on by the handling system 600. Furthermore, for example, the charging station 2312 (C-out) may represent the output of a batch of component parts 101, wherein readily temperature-controlled batches of component parts 101 may be placed on the charging station 2312 and may be transported away for further processing.

[0107] Batches of component parts 101 or furnace hoods 902, 903 may be temporarily stored on the storage locations 2310, 2310 (LP1, LP2).

[0108] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a charging device 100 having a carrier element 103 and/or carrier beam 1302 and a support element 105 as a base body 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] The component parts 101 may consist, for example, of coiled metal strips and/or metal wires. These may also be slipped over the carrier beam 1302 and may rest accordingly on a support element 105, 105.

[0110] The lowest support element 105 may further have engagement openings 107, in which gripping elements (e.g. the rods of the rod unit 1703 from FIG. 9) may engage in order to raise and lower the support element 105. By lifting and lowering the support element 105, the component parts 101 may be handled accordingly.

[0111] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show schematic representations of a handling system 600 having a gripper unit 1701.

[0112] For example, the individual charging devices 100, on which the component parts 101 may be stored, may be pushed on the rods of the rod unit 1703. Herein, for example, the engagement openings 107 may serve as the support element 105. The charging devices 100 may be placed, for example, on the charging station 2311, 2312 in such a way that parallel aligned rods of the rod unit 1703 may move in a plurality of charging devices in order to thus transport plural charging devices 100.

[0113] The rod unit 1703 may be embodied to be movable relative to the gripper frame 1702 and may be moved, for example, in the direction of the support elements 105. Furthermore, the rod unit 1703 together with the gripper frame 1702 may be embodied movably relative to the base frame 601, which may be embodied movably along the floor. Thus, the gripper frame 1702 with the rod unit 1703 may be moved relatively into and out of the base frame 601 in order to grip the support elements 105, on which the component parts 101 may be stored.

[0114] The gripper frame 1702 may be selectively coupled to the base frame 602. For example, a coupling device and/or fastening device 602 may be provided at the base frame 602, which may selectively couple the base frame in order to subsequently transport it.

[0115] After the moving in (or retracting) of the rods of the rod unit 1703, the gripper frame 1702 or the base frame 601 of the handling system 600 may be raised or lowered in order to transport the support elements 105 together with the component parts 101 to the desired stations. For reinforcement of the base frame 601, a reinforcing beam 1704 may be provided, which may be rotatable around a rotation axis 1705. In FIG. 9, the reinforcing beam 1704 may be in an opened position so that the charging devices 100 may be released, and in FIG. 10 the reinforcing beam 1704 may be in a closed position. The rods of the rod unit 1703 may be coupled to the reinforcement beam 1704 in order to form a reinforced structure and transport the charging devices 100.

[0116] FIG. 11 shows a handling system 600 for handling a functional device. The transport device may have a base frame 601, which may be transportable along a floor, and a fastening device 602, which may be coupled to the base frame 601. The fastening device 602 may be configured to selectively fasten the functional device to the base frame 601. The base frame 601 may be configured in such a way that the base frame 601 may be transportable for transporting the functional device between a set-up location (e.g. the charging stations 2311, 2312 or the storage location 2310), at which the functional device may be selectively fastenable to the base frame 601, and a tempering location in the temperature control device 701 at the temperature control stations 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2401.

[0117] A functional device may represent the charging device 100 for carrying component parts 101 to be temperature-controlled, a guide cylinder 801, or a furnace hood 902, 903. In a hood-type furnace used as a temperature control device 701, for example, a plurality of different furnace hoods 902, 903 may be placed one above the other. For example, a furnace hood 903 with a larger diameter may be placed over a furnace hood 902 with a smaller diameter so that the smaller furnace hood 902 may be located inside the larger furnace hood 903. Herein, the innermost furnace hood 902 may, for example, act as a protective hood so that a protective gas atmosphere may be formed in an inner annealing chamber. Another furnace hood 903, such as a heating hood or a cooling hood, may be placed over the protective hood 902.

[0118] The base frame 601 may be formed along a base plane, wherein the fastening device 602 may be movable perpendicular to the base plane. The transport device may have at least one first guide structure 603, which may be fixed to the base frame 601 and may extend (at least with a directional component) perpendicular to the base plane. The fastening device 602 may have a first guide carriage 604, which may be movably coupled to the first guide structure 603. The first guide carriage 604 may selectively be coupleable to the functional device.

[0119] The first guide structure 603 may consist, for example, of one or more beams (or carriers, or girders) (steel beams) which may be fixed to the base frame 601. For example, the beams may simultaneously form guide rails for the first guide carriage 604. For example, the first guide carriage 604 may be moved along a column as a beam. In particular, two spaced beams of the first guide structure 603 may be provided, at which the first guide carriage 604 may be movably arranged.

[0120] The first guide carriage 604 may have a controllable fastening element 605, in particular a clamping jaw. The controllable fastening element 605 may be adjustable into a release position, in which the functional device may be decoupled from the controllable fastening element 605, and may be adjustable into a clamping position, in which the functional device may be coupled to the controllable fastening element 605. The controllable fastening element 605 may, for example, be a movable clamping jaw or an operable gripping element in order to implement a selective coupling with the functional unit.

[0121] The second guide structure 606 described in the following may be embodied according to the first guide structure 603 described above. Accordingly, the further first guide carriages 609, second guide carriage 607 and further second guide carriages 610 described below may be configured to correspond to the first guide carriage 603 described above.

[0122] The second guide structure 606 may also be fixed to the base frame 601 and may extend perpendicular to the base plane. The fastening device 602 may have a second guide carriage 607, which may be movably coupled to the second guide structure 606. The second guide carriage 607 may be selectively coupleable to the functional device, wherein the first guide carriage 604 and the second guide carriage 607 may be arranged in such a way that the guide carriages 604, 607 may be opposite to each other with respect to the functional device.

[0123] Furthermore, a further fastening device 608 may be provided, which may be movable perpendicular to the base plane. The fastening device 602 and the further fastening device 608 may thus be arranged one after the other or one above the other along a direction perpendicular to the base plane. In particular, the fastening device 602 and the further fastening device 608 may be moved relative to each other.

[0124] The further fastening device 608 may have a further first guide carriage 609, which may be movably coupled to the first guide structure 603, wherein the further first guide carriage 609 may be selectively coupleable to the functional device or to a further functional device. The further fastening device 608 may have a further second guide carriage 610, which may be movably coupled to the second guide structure 607. The further second guide carriage 607 may be selectively coupleable to the functional device or to the further functional device. The further first guide carriage 609 and the further second guide carriage 610 may be arranged in such a way that the further guide carriages 609, 610 may be opposite to each other with respect to the functional device.

[0125] The further first guide carriage 609 and the further second guide carriage 610 may be coupled to each other, for example by reinforcing struts. Thus, the further fastening device 608 and/or the first guide structure 603 and the second guide structure 606 may be stiffened and/or reinforced.

[0126] Furthermore, roller elements 612 may be arranged at the base frame 601. The roller elements 612 may serve for moving the base frame 601 along the floor. Accordingly, a coupling with guide rails 2401 may be provided.

[0127] Supplementarily, it is noted that having does not exclude other elements or steps and a or an does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps, which have been described with reference to one of the above embodiment examples, can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiment examples, which have been described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as a limitation.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals: 100 charging device 101 component part 102 base body 103 carrier element 105 support element 107 engagement opening 600 handling system 601 base frame 602 fastening device 603 first guide structure 604 first guide carriage 605 controllable fastening element 606 second guide structure 607 second guide carriage 608 further fastening device 609 further first guide carriage 610 further second guide carriage 611 additional fastening element 612 roller element 701 temperature control device 801 guide cylinder 902 furnace hood 903 further furnace hood 1302 support beam 1701 gripper unit 1702 gripper frame 1703 rod unit 1704 reinforcing beam 1705 axis of rotation 2301 first temperature control station 2302 second temperature control station 2303 third temperature control station 2304 fourth temperature control station 2305 fifth temperature control station 2306 linear apposition 2307 control unit 2310 storage location 2311 first charging station 2312 second charging station 2401 sixth temperature control station 2402 guide rails 2501 hall support 2601 circular apposition 2602 rotary table 2901 further circular apposition 2902 further rotary table