TREATMENT STATION, TREATMENT UNIT AND METHOD FOR TREATING WORKPIECES

Abstract

In order to provide a device and a method for treating workpieces (102), in which an optimized workpiece treatment is possible, it is proposed that a treatment station (114) comprise a treatment chamber (136) that can be flooded for workpiece treatment.

Claims

1. Treatment plant for treating workpieces, comprising: treatment stations for treating the workpieces, and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies, wherein each treatment station includes at least one treatment container surrounding a treatment chamber for accommodating the workpieces, wherein each treatment station separately, or one or more treatment stations jointly, include a fluid tank for accommodating a fluid, and wherein the treatment stations include a fluid guide, by means of which the fluid can be guided a) from the fluid tank into the respective treatment container in order to flood one or more treatment chambers; and/or b) from the respective treatment container into the fluid tank in order to empty the treatment chambers.

2. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein the treatment plant includes several first treatment stations for performing a first treatment step and several second treatment stations for performing a second treatment step, wherein one or more first treatment stations and one or more second treatment stations respectively are part of or form a treatment unit of the treatment plant that is passed through by the workpieces in order to perform the treatment steps.

3. Treatment plant according to claim 2, wherein the treatment plant includes several treatment units which respectively include one or more first treatment stations and one or more second treatment stations and which in particular form distinct treatment lines of the treatment plant, a) wherein one or more first treatment stations of distinct treatment units have a common fluid guide and/or a common fluid tank; and/or b) wherein one or more second treatment stations of distinct treatment units have a common fluid guide and/or a common fluid tank.

4. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein a fluid, and in particular a first treatment fluid, can be fed, by the fluid guide, first a) to one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations, and in particular first treatment stations, of a first treatment unit, and thereafter b) to one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations, and in particular first treatment stations, of a second treatment unit.

5. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein a fluid, and in particular a second treatment fluid, can be fed, by the fluid guide, first a) to one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations, and in particular second treatment stations, of a first treatment unit, and thereafter b) to one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations, and in particular second treatment stations, of a second treatment unit.

6. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein the fluid can alternately be fed, by means of the fluid guide, to treatment chambers of distinct treatment units.

7. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein the fluid guide is connected to a cleaning device so that the fluid can in particular be cleaned after removal from one of the treatment chambers and/or before a new feeding to a further one of the treatment chambers.

8. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein a total quantity of a fluid contained overall in a fluid guide is at most approximately twice, and in particular at most approximately three times, a quantity of the fluid required for performing a single flooding process in a treatment chamber.

9. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein treatment stations of a treatment unit, and in particular one or more or all first treatment stations and one or more or all second treatment stations of a treatment unit, are arranged on a common level of the treatment plant.

10. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein several treatment units of the treatment plant are arranged on distinct levels of the treatment plant.

11. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein one or more treatment stations of distinct treatment units of the treatment plant, which have a common fluid guide and/or which serve to perform the same treatment step, are arranged one above the other along the direction of gravity (g).

12. Treatment plant according to claim 1, wherein the treatment plant includes several fluid guides for guiding distinct treatment fluids, wherein the fluid guides are assigned to distinct treatment stations for performing different treatment steps.

13. Method for treating workpieces, and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies, wherein the method comprises: introducing one or more workpieces into one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations; flooding the one or more treatment chambers with a fluid for performing the treatment, wherein, by a fluid guide, the fluid is guided a) from the fluid tank into the respective treatment chamber in order to flood one or more treatment chambers; and/or b) from the respective treatment chamber into the fluid tank in order to empty the treatment chambers.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the fluid is successively, and in particular completely staggered in time, a) removed from the fluid tank and fed to one or more treatment chambers, and b) thereafter, and in particular subsequently or at a later time, e.g., after a cleaning of the fluid in a cleaning device, is guided back into the fluid tank, wherein the fluid tank and/or the one or more treatment chambers are thereby preferably alternately filled and emptied.

15. Method according to claim 13, wherein the fluid is successively, and in particular completely staggered in time, a) fed to one or more treatment chambers of a treatment station of a first treatment unit, and thereafter, and in particular subsequently or at a later time, e.g., after an interim storage in an interim storage tank, is fed to one or more treatment chambers of a treatment station of a second treatment unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0292] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspectival illustration of a first embodiment of a treatment plant in which two treatment units arranged one above the other are provided with in each case several treatment stations, wherein the workpieces can be conveyed by means of a conveying device in a transverse orientation along a main conveying direction;

[0293] FIG. 2 shows a schematic vertical sectional view through the treatment plant of FIG. 1;

[0294] FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view from above of the treatment plant of FIG. 1;

[0295] FIG. 4 shows a schematic vertical cross-section through the treatment plant of FIG. 1;

[0296] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspectival illustration of a treatment station of the treatment plant of FIG. 1;

[0297] FIG. 6 shows a further schematic perspectival illustration of the treatment station of FIG. 5, wherein a side wall of a treatment container of the treatment station is hidden;

[0298] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspectival illustration, corresponding to FIG. 1, of a second embodiment of a treatment plant in which the workpieces can be conveyed, in a longitudinal orientation of the same, along a main conveying direction;

[0299] FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of the treatment plant of FIG. 7;

[0300] FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view from above of the treatment plant of FIG. 7;

[0301] FIG. 10 shows a schematic vertical cross-section through the treatment plant of FIG. 7;

[0302] FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspectival illustration, corresponding to FIG. 5, of a treatment station of the treatment plant of FIG. 7;

[0303] FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspectival illustration, corresponding to FIG. 11, of the treatment station of the treatment plant of FIG. 7, wherein a side wall of a treatment container of the treatment station is hidden;

[0304] FIG. 13 shows a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of a treatment plant in which treatment stations are provided on both sides of a main conveying path;

[0305] FIG. 14 shows a schematic plan view of a fourth embodiment of a treatment plant in which two ends, facing away from one another, of a common main conveying path or two main conveying paths are adjacent to feeding stations for feeding the workpieces, wherein a common removal station for removing the workpieces is provided essentially centrally;

[0306] FIG. 15 shows a schematic plan view of a fifth embodiment of a treatment plant in which distributor devices and combining devices of a conveying device are provided so that the workpieces can be distributed to different treatment stations and can be combined to minimize the conveying outlay;

[0307] FIG. 16 shows a schematic plan view of an upper side of a sixth embodiment of a treatment plant in which a combination of treatment stations for performing flooding processes and treatment stations for performing dipping processes is provided;

[0308] FIG. 17 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XVII in FIG. 16 in the form of a vertical, longitudinal, sectional illustration;

[0309] FIG. 18 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XVIII in FIG. 17;

[0310] FIG. 19 shows an alternative configuration of the treatment station shown in FIG. 18;

[0311] FIG. 20 shows a schematic vertical cross-section through the treatment station according to FIG. 19, wherein a different workpiece to be treated is arranged within a treatment chamber of the treatment station;

[0312] FIG. 21 shows a schematic perspectival illustration of a treatment station in which an external drive unit of a conveying device and two external sensor elements of a sensor device are provided;

[0313] FIG. 22 shows a schematic perspectival isolated illustration of the conveying device and the sensor device of FIG. 21;

[0314] FIG. 23 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XXIII in FIG. 22, with a view of an inner side, facing the treatment chamber, of the drive unit and an upper part of a coupling device;

[0315] FIG. 24 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XXIV in FIG. 22;

[0316] FIG. 25 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XXV in FIG. 22;

[0317] FIG. 26 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XXVI in FIG. 22; and

[0318] FIG. 27 shows an enlarged illustration of the region XXVI in FIG. 22, with a different viewing direction.

[0319] The same or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference signs in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0320] A treatment plant shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 and denoted as a whole by 100 serves for treating workpieces 102, e.g., vehicle bodies 104.

[0321] The treatment plant 100 comprises one or more treatment units 106, e.g., two treatment units 106, which are selectively passed through by the workpieces 102 in order to perform several treatment steps.

[0322] In the first embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, a feeding station 108 for feeding to the treatment units 106 is provided.

[0323] The feeding station 108 is part of a conveying device 110 of the treatment plant 100.

[0324] Preferably, the feeding station 108 forms a distributor device 112 for distributing the workpieces 102 to the treatment units 106.

[0325] The feeding station 108 is designed, for example, as a lift and serves to feed the workpieces 102 to treatment units 106 arranged on different levels of the treatment plant 100.

[0326] The treatment plant 100, and in particular each treatment unit 106, comprises one or more treatment stations 114 for treating the workpieces 102, and in particular for performing flooding processes to be described in greater detail.

[0327] The treatment stations 114 are arranged in succession along a main conveying direction 116 of the conveying device 110.

[0328] In the first embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, a main conveying path 118 of the conveying device 110 is provided, which extends along all treatment stations 114 and from which the workpieces 102 can be fed to the individual treatment stations 114.

[0329] The main conveying path 118 comprises in particular one or more tunnel sections 120 for housing at least individual sections of the main conveying path 118.

[0330] Furthermore, the main conveying path 118 preferably comprises one or more cleaning stations 122 and/or spraying stations 124 and/or flushing stations 126.

[0331] The cleaning station 122, the spraying station 124, and/or the flushing station 126 are arranged and/or formed—in particular, with respect to the main conveying direction 116—in front of one or more treatment stations 114, between several treatment stations 114, and/or after one or more treatment stations 114.

[0332] After the treatment of the workpieces 102, the same can be conveyed further by means of a removal station 128.

[0333] The removal station 128 in particular forms a combining device 130 for combining the workpieces 102 treated on the different treatment units 106 and for the joint further conveying of the same.

[0334] In the first embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the workpieces 102 can be conveyed in particular in a transverse orientation 132, and in particular can be conveyed along the main conveying direction 116 in a transverse orientation 132.

[0335] Into the treatment stations 114, which in particular laterally adjoin the main conveying path 118, the vehicle bodies 104 are preferably introduced along a longitudinal axis of the same.

[0336] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, a first treatment station 114a, a second treatment station 114b, a third treatment station 114c, and a fourth treatment station 114d are provided in each treatment unit 106, for example.

[0337] A fluid tank 134 is preferably assigned to each treatment station 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d.

[0338] Moreover, each treatment station 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d comprises one or more treatment containers 136 for performing a workpiece treatment.

[0339] The workpieces 102 can be treated in particular with one or more fluids formed as liquids.

[0340] During the conveying of the workpieces 102, it is thus possible in particular for liquid to drip off the same.

[0341] The conveying device 110, and in particular the main conveying path 118, therefore preferably comprises one or more collecting elements 138, which are designed, for example, as collecting troughs and serve to accommodate liquid dripping down from the workpieces 102.

[0342] The collecting elements 138 are in particular integrated into a fluid guide, to be described, of the treatment plant 100 in order to be able to reuse or discharge the liquid collected therewith.

[0343] As is apparent in particular in FIG. 6, each treatment station 114 comprises a fluid tank 134, which is arranged, for example, above a treatment container 136 and is, for example, a liquid tank.

[0344] The fluid tank 134 and the treatment container 136 are connected to one another by means of a fluid guide 140 or form a part of a fluid guide 140.

[0345] The fluid guide 140 in particular comprises a fluid line, e.g., a feed line 142, by means of which the fluid from the fluid tank 134 can be introduced into the treatment container 136.

[0346] By means of a valve device 144, the feeding can in particular be controlled and/or regulated with regard to the volume flow.

[0347] The feed line 142 in particular opens in a bottom region 146 into a treatment chamber 148 within the treatment container 136.

[0348] The treatment container 136 in particular comprises a closed bottom wall 150, a closed top wall 152, two closed sides walls 154, and a closed front wall (further side wall) 156.

[0349] The further front wall 156, i.e., the further and thus fourth side wall 154, is preferably provided with an access opening 158.

[0350] The access opening 158 preferably extends over at least approximately 60%, preferably at least approximately 80%, and in particular at least approximately 95%, of a total area of the front wall 156.

[0351] The access opening 158 in particular serves to introduce the workpieces 102 and/or to discharge the workpieces 102.

[0352] The access opening 158 is thus in particular an introduction opening 160 and/or a discharge opening 162.

[0353] The access opening 158 can preferably be closed by means of a closing device 164 of the treatment station 114.

[0354] The closing device 164 in particular comprises a closing element 166 which can be selectively brought into an open position or into a closed position by means of a closing drive 168.

[0355] The closing drive 168 is or comprises, for example, a lifting device 170.

[0356] In particular, the closing drive 168 comprises an electric motor and a spindle drive for driving, and in particular raising and lowering, the closing element 166.

[0357] The closing element 166 can thereby preferably be moved in front of the access opening 158 or raised above the same.

[0358] The closing element 166 in particular forms a lock gate 172 of the closing device 164.

[0359] For guiding the closing element 166 and/or for supporting a fluid pressure acting on the closing element 166 during a flooding process in the treatment container 136, a guiding device 174 is preferably, on the treatment container 136, provided for the displaceable accommodation and guidance of the closing element 166.

[0360] The closing device 164 is preferably designed to be self-locking and/or self-sealing in order to ensure fluid tightness of the treatment container 136.

[0361] A conveying device 110 or at least a section of a conveying device 110 is in particular arranged and/or formed in the bottom region 146 of the treatment container 136.

[0362] In particular, a guiding device 176 of the conveying device 110 for the load-bearing accommodation of the workpieces 102 is arranged and/or formed in the bottom region 146.

[0363] By means of this guiding device 176, accommodation devices 178, e.g., skids 180 for accommodating workpieces 102 designed as vehicle bodies 104, can in particular be accommodated and can be introduced into the treatment chamber 148 and/or discharged from the same in an introduction direction 182, and in particular in a horizontal direction 184. The conveying device 110 preferably has only the guiding device 176 within the treatment container 136. Drive components of the conveying device 110 are preferably arranged and/or formed outside the treatment container 136.

[0364] In order to perform a flooding process in the treatment container 136, the fluid can be fed via the feed line 142. By means of a discharge line 186, the fluid can preferably be discharged from the treatment container 136.

[0365] In order to be able to have fluid flow completely around the workpiece 102 or to let the workpiece 102 completely sink into the fluid, the interior (treatment chamber 148) of the treatment container 136 must be filled with fluid to a certain filling-height.

[0366] In order to minimize the quantity of fluid required for this purpose, one or more installation elements 188, and in particular installation elements 188 designed as displacement elements 190, are preferably provided.

[0367] A displacement element 190 serves in particular to minimize the free space in the treatment chamber 148, which would unnecessarily have to be filled with fluid.

[0368] In this case, the displacement elements 190 are in particular adapted at least in sections to a shape of the workpiece 102 to be treated; for example, a shape, facing the workpiece 102, at least approximately follows a shape of a front region of the workpiece 102 (see FIG. 6).

[0369] Moreover, in the region of the conveying device 110, at least one installation element 188 designed as a displacement element 190 may be provided in order to minimize the free spaces in the bottom region 146.

[0370] For example, one or more support elements 192 may be provided as further installation elements 188.

[0371] A support element 192 may, for example, support the workpiece 102 at least in regions in order to secure it, and in particular to support it, against a movement and/or deformation during the flooding process. As a result, an accelerated flooding of the treatment chamber 148 can preferably be realized.

[0372] After flooding has taken place, the respective support element 192 is preferably removed from the workpiece 102 in order to ensure complete wetting of and/or flow around the workpiece 102 with fluid.

[0373] Furthermore, one or more displacement elements 190 may be moved before, during, and/or after the flooding process in order to enhance the flooding process.

[0374] In particular when the fluid tends towards foam formation during inflow of the same, it may be provided that it flow into the treatment chamber 148 in an inflow region 194 below a permanent and/or minimum fluid level. This inflow region 194 is in particular arranged below the access opening 158 in order to avoid undesired outflow of fluid when the closing device 164 is opened.

[0375] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the treatment stations 114 of distinct treatment units 106 can be connected to one another by means of one or more common fluid guides 140.

[0376] It may in particular be provided that, by means of the fluid guide 140, fluid from a fluid tank 134 of an upper—with respect to the direction of gravity g—treatment unit 106 first be guided into a treatment container 136 of this upper treatment unit 106, subsequently be introduced from the treatment container 136 into a fluid tank 134 of a lower—with respect to the direction of gravity g—treatment unit 106, and thus be available for use for a flooding process in a treatment container 136 of the lower treatment unit 106.

[0377] Subsequently, the fluid can be guided, for example, into a counter tank 196, arranged below the lower treatment unit 106, from where the fluid is guided, for example, by means of a pump device 198 and/or after cleaning thereof by means of a cleaning device 200 back into the fluid tank 134 of the upper treatment unit 106.

[0378] Such fluid guides 140 can in principle be provided for any type of treatment station 114 of in each case several treatment units 106.

[0379] A second embodiment of a treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 7 through 12 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 essentially in that the workpieces 102 are conveyed in a longitudinal orientation 202 along the main conveying direction 116 through the treatment containers 136 of the treatment stations 114.

[0380] As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 11 and 12, the treatment containers 136 of the treatment stations 114 are provided for this purpose on both sides with access openings 158, wherein an access opening 158 forms the introduction opening 160, and the further access opening 158 forms the discharge opening 162.

[0381] In this case, the workpieces 102 can be conveyed through the treatment chambers 148 in particular in the introduction direction 182.

[0382] Both access openings 158 are to be closed for performing a flooding process in the treatment chambers 148. For this purpose, a separate closing device 164 is assigned to each access opening 158.

[0383] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, the treatment stations 114 arranged one behind the other form treatment lines, for example.

[0384] Each treatment line may be a treatment unit 106, so that, for example, two treatment units 106, respectively, can be arranged on the same level.

[0385] The fluid guides 140 may be assigned to the treatment stations 114 on the same level or on different levels (see in particular FIG. 10) in order to enable optimized fluid guidance and/or fluid utilization.

[0386] Otherwise, the second embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 7 through 12 corresponds with regard to structure and function to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, so that reference is made, in this respect, to the above description thereof.

[0387] A third embodiment of a treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 13 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 essentially in that the treatment stations 114 are arranged on both sides of the main conveying path 118.

[0388] By means of the conveying device 110, the workpieces 102 can thus be introduced selectively to the right or left of the main conveying path 118 into the treatment chambers 148 of the treatment stations 114 in order to perform the workpiece treatment. As a result, the main conveying path 118 can be particularly short and compact.

[0389] By means of a turntable 204, an orientation of the workpieces 102 can be changed in particular in front of or at the feeding station 108 in order to enable an optimized feeding to the main conveying path 118.

[0390] A fluid guide 140 (not shown in FIG. 13) is, for example, provided in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13 in such a way that the treatment stations 114 arranged opposite one another with respect to the main conveying path 118 always have a common fluid guide 114, and thus serve to perform the same treatment step.

[0391] The third embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 13 can form a treatment unit 106, which can of course be provided several times, and in particular one above the other.

[0392] Otherwise, the third embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 13 corresponds with regard to structure and function to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, so that reference is made, in this respect, to the above description thereof.

[0393] A fourth embodiment of a treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 14 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 essentially in that a removal station 128 which is arranged centrally with respect to the main conveying path 118 or with respect to two main conveying paths 118 is provided. The workpieces 102 are thus removed centrally from the treatment unit 106 and are accordingly fed to the main conveying path 118 at ends 206 facing away from one another. For this purpose, a feeding station 108 is provided at each of the ends 206.

[0394] The workpieces 102 are thus conveyed towards one another by the two feeding stations 108 and are discharged and conveyed further by means of the common removal station 128.

[0395] Otherwise, the fourth embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 14 corresponds with regard to structure and function to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, so that reference is made, in this respect, to the above description thereof.

[0396] A fifth embodiment of a treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 15 differs from the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12 essentially in that a treatment unit 106 forming a treatment line comprises several treatment stations 114 that can be populated in parallel to one another.

[0397] A main conveying path 118 of the conveying device 110 of the treatment plant 100 preferably comprises for this purpose one or more distributor devices 112 in order to distribute the workpieces 102, fed via a feeding station 108, to treatment stations 114 arranged in parallel to one another.

[0398] The distributor device 112 is in particular a transverse displacement device 208.

[0399] A further transverse displacement device 208 preferably forms a combining device 130, which is arranged after the treatment stations 114 and serves to combine the workpieces 102 and further convey them together. In particular, the workpieces 102 can then be fed to a flushing station 126 or spraying station 124.

[0400] One or more further distributor devices 112, treatment stations 114 arranged in parallel to one another, and/or combining devices 130 can then be provided for further treatment steps of the treatment plant 100.

[0401] In the fifth embodiment of the treatment plant shown in FIG. 15, two such treatment steps are provided with treatment stations 114 each arranged in parallel with one another.

[0402] Otherwise, the fifth embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIG. 15 corresponds with regard to structure and function to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, so that reference is made, in this respect, to the above description thereof.

[0403] A sixth embodiment of a treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 16 through 18 differs from the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12 essentially in that a workpiece exchange 102 is possible between two treatment units 106 arranged on one level.

[0404] For this purpose, the conveying devices 110 of the treatment units 106 comprise one or more transfer stations 210, by means of which the workpieces 102 can be transferred from the conveying device 110 of the one treatment unit 106 to the conveying device 110 of the further treatment unit 106.

[0405] In particular, the workpieces 102 can be transferred from a main conveying path 118 of the one treatment unit 106 to the main conveying path 118 of the further treatment unit 106 by means of a transfer station 210.

[0406] As a result, treatment stations 114 to be maintained and/or cleaned and/or repaired can be bypassed in an isolated manner, without having to temporarily stop the entire treatment unit 106.

[0407] As can also be seen in particular in FIG. 17, in the sixth embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 16 through 18, a workpiece treatment by dipping the workpieces is further provided in addition to the workpiece treatment by flooding.

[0408] For this purpose, one or more treatment containers 136 designed as dip tanks 212 are provided, wherein the associated treatment stations 114 serve to perform dipping processes.

[0409] Such dip tanks 212 serve, in particular, to coat the workpieces 102, e.g., the painting of the same in the context of a cathodic dip coating.

[0410] In particular, several such dip tanks 212 can be arranged in succession along the main conveying direction 116, e.g., after one or more treatment stations 114 for performing flooding processes for the workpiece pretreatment.

[0411] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 17, it may be provided that several fluid tanks 134 and/or several counter tanks 196 be assigned to a treatment station 114 in order to be able to perform different treatment steps in the same treatment chamber 148.

[0412] The treatment chamber 148 can then in particular be alternately or successively flooded with different fluids, and in particular treatment liquids.

[0413] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 18, folding elements 214 could also be provided as closing elements 166, instead of closing elements 166 designed as lock gates 172.

[0414] The folding elements 214 are in particular arranged so as to be pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis and can be brought into a vertical orientation in order to close the respective access opening 158, and into a horizontal orientation in order to open the access opening 158 (both states are shown in FIG. 18).

[0415] The closing elements 166 may, for example, bring about only a partial coverage of the access opening 158, or else a complete coverage of the access opening 158. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, only a partial coverage of the access opening 158 is provided, so that the treatment station 114 according to FIG. 18 is suitable only for a partial flooding process.

[0416] The dimensioning of the closing element 166 can be selected according to the required filling-level for performing the workpiece treatment.

[0417] At least one closing element 166, and in particular at least one folding element 214, can comprise or form, for example, one or more conveying elements of a conveying device 110, and in particular one or more guiding elements of a guiding device 176 of a conveying device 110 (not shown in the figures). The closing element 166 then in particular serves to guide the one or more workpieces 102, during the introduction of the same, in a load-bearing manner across the closing element 166 into the treatment chamber 148.

[0418] Otherwise, the embodiment of the treatment plant 100 shown in FIGS. 16 through 18 corresponds with regard to structure and function to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, so that reference is made, in this respect, to the above description thereof.

[0419] FIGS. 19 and 20 show a further alternative embodiment of a treatment station 114, which substantially corresponds to the embodiment of a treatment station 114 shown in FIG. 18, but comprises, below the treatment chamber 148, a collecting container 218, which is designed, for example, as a collecting funnel 216 by means of which the fluid to be discharged from the treatment chamber 148 can be collected.

[0420] The collecting container 218 thus in particular forms a counter tank 196 of a fluid guide 140.

[0421] Otherwise, the embodiment of a treatment station 114 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 corresponds with regard to structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, so that reference is made, in this respect, to the above description thereof.

[0422] FIGS. 21 through 27 show an optional development of the treatment station 114. Here, it is provided that the conveying device 110 comprise one or more drive units 220 which act on a guide path section 222 of the conveying device 110 from outside the treatment chamber 148. A drive unit 220 may, for example, be an electric motor or comprise an electric motor.

[0423] The one or more drive units 220 are preferably coupled purely mechanically to the guide path section 222. In particular, it may be provided that a coupling device 224 produce a mechanical connection between the one or more drive units 220, on the one hand, and the guide path section 222 of the conveying device 110 on the other. By means of the one or more drive units 220 arranged outside the treatment chamber 148, a workpiece 102 guided within the treatment chamber 148 on the guide path section 222 can then in particular be driven, and, preferably, linearly moved, e.g., introduced into the treatment chamber 148 or discharged from the same.

[0424] It may be favorable if the one or more drive units 220 are arranged above a maximum filling-level or above a maximum filling-height of the treatment chamber 148, and/or on an outer side 226 of a side wall 228 of a treatment container 136 surrounding the treatment chamber 148.

[0425] Preferably, one or more drive units 220 are arranged on an end region of the treatment container 136, which end region faces away from an access opening 158 of the treatment container 136, and/or in a region, close to the ceiling, of a side wall 228 of the treatment container 136.

[0426] The coupling device 224 is preferably guided through the side wall 228, and preferably at the height of the one or more drive units 220. A through-opening 230 for guiding the coupling device 224 is preferably arranged and/or formed above a maximum filling-level or above a maximum filling-height of the treatment chamber 148. A coupling element 232, guided through the side wall 228, of the coupling device 224 is preferably a rotating shaft or coupling shaft.

[0427] The rotating shaft or coupling shaft is preferably connected by means of a pulling element 234, and in particular by means of a belt and/or a chain, e.g., a duplex chain, to a further rotating shaft or coupling shaft which is arranged in the region of the guide path section 222 and ultimately acts directly or indirectly on the workpiece 102 in order to drive the same. The pulling element 234 can in particular be tensioned by means of one or two tensioning elements 236, and in particular tensioning rollers.

[0428] Furthermore, it is provided in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 through 27 that the treatment station 114 comprise one or more sensor devices 238 which enable a state and/or position detection within the treatment chamber 148 from outside the treatment chamber 148. For example, a correct positioning of a workpiece 102 within the treatment chamber 148 can be determined or monitored by means of a sensor device 238.

[0429] The one or more sensor devices 238 preferably each comprise one or more sensor elements 240 which are arranged outside the treatment chamber 148 and preferably coupled purely mechanically to one or more transducer elements 242 within the treatment chamber 148 (see in particular FIGS. 25 through 27). In particular, it may be provided that a coupling device 224 produce a mechanical connection between the one or more sensor elements 240, on the one hand, and the one or more transducer elements 242 on the other. By means of the one or more sensor elements 240 arranged outside the treatment chamber 148, a workpiece 102 arranged within the treatment chamber 148 can then in particular be detected, and preferably its position determined or monitored.

[0430] It may be favorable if the one or more sensor elements 240 are arranged above a maximum filling-level or above a maximum filling-height of the treatment chamber 148, and/or on an outer side 226 of a side wall 228 of the treatment container 136 surrounding the treatment chamber 148.

[0431] Preferably, one or more sensor elements 240 are arranged in a region, close to the ceiling, of a side wall 228 of the treatment container 136.

[0432] The coupling device 224 of the sensor device 238 is preferably guided through the side wall 228, and preferably at the height of the one or more sensor elements 240. A through-opening 230 for guiding the coupling device 224 is preferably arranged and/or formed above a maximum filling-level or a maximum filling-height of the treatment chamber 148. A coupling element 232, guided through the side wall 228, of the coupling device 224 is preferably a rotating shaft or coupling shaft.

[0433] The rotating shaft or coupling shaft is preferably connected by means of a pulling element or pressure element, and in particular by means of a coupling rod 244, to a further rotating shaft or coupling shaft, which is arranged, for example, in a bottom region and/or in the region of a guide path section 222 and is connected to a transducer element 242. By actuating the transducer element 242, e.g., by rotating the transducer element 242, a rotation of the further rotating shaft or coupling shaft, and thereby a—for example—vertical displacement of the coupling rod 244, and thereby a rotation of the (upper) rotating shaft or coupling shaft, can preferably be brought about, wherein the (upper) rotating shaft or coupling shaft guided out of the treatment chamber 148 finally carries out or brings about a movement which can be detected by means of the at least one sensor element 240. By purely mechanical actuation of the coupling device 224, a change in the orientation or another movement of the transducer element 242 can thus be detected by means of the one or more sensor elements 240.

[0434] Preferred embodiments are as follows:

[0435] 1. Treatment station (114) for treating workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), wherein the treatment station (114) comprises a treatment container (136) surrounding a treatment chamber (148) for accommodating the workpieces (102).

[0436] 2. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the treatment chamber (148) can be flooded with a fluid, wherein the treatment container (136) comprises at least one access opening (158) for introducing the workpieces (102) into the treatment chamber (148) and/or for discharging the workpieces (102) from the treatment chamber (148), wherein the treatment container (136) comprises a closing device (164) for selectively closing and opening the at least one access opening (158).

[0437] 3. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 2, characterized in that the at least one access opening (158) is arranged and/or formed in one or more side walls (154) of the treatment container (136), and in particular in one or more front walls (156) of the treatment container (136).

[0438] 4. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 2 or 3, characterized in that the closing device (164) serves for the fluid-tight closing of the at least one access opening (158).

[0439] 5. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 2 through 4, characterized in that the closing device (164) comprises a lifting device (170) for raising and lowering a closing element (166) of the closing device (164), and in particular for raising the closing element (166) in order to bring it into an open position, and for lowering the closing element (166) in order to bring it into a closed position.

[0440] 6. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 2 through 5, characterized in that the closing device (164) comprises a pivoting device for pivoting a closing element (166) of the closing device (164), wherein the closing element (166) can in particular be pivoted about an at least approximately horizontal pivot axis.

[0441] 7. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 2 through 6, characterized in that the closing device (164) comprises a closing drive (168) for automatically moving a closing element (166) of the closing device (164).

[0442] 8. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 2 through 7, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises a fluid tank (134) for accommodating a fluid, and in particular a treatment fluid, wherein the fluid can be introduced from the fluid tank (134) into the treatment chamber (148) by means of a fluid guide (140) in order to flood the treatment chamber (148) and/or wherein the fluid can be guided from the treatment chamber (148) back into the fluid tank (134) by means of the fluid guide (140) in order to empty the treatment chamber (148).

[0443] 9. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 2 through 8, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises a conveying device (110) for conveying the workpieces (102), and in particular for introducing the workpieces (102) into the treatment chamber (148) and/or for discharging the workpieces (102) from the treatment chamber (148).

[0444] 10. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 9, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be moved, and in particular introduced into the treatment chamber (148) and/or discharged from the treatment chamber (148), by means of the conveying device (110) along a horizontal plane.

[0445] 11. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 9 or 10, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises one or more drive units for moving the workpieces (102), wherein the drive units, and in particular all drive units of the conveying device (110), are arranged outside the treatment chamber (148), at least during the performance of a workpiece treatment.

[0446] 12. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 9 through 11, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises a guiding device (176) for the load-bearing accommodation of the workpieces (102), wherein the guiding device (176) extends from outside the treatment chamber (148) into the treatment chamber (148), and in particular through at least one access opening (158).

[0447] 13. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 9 through 12, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises a guiding device (176) for the load-bearing accommodation of the workpieces (102), wherein the guiding device (176) comprises both at least one guide path section arranged outside the treatment chamber (148) and at least one guide path section arranged within the treatment chamber (148), wherein the workpieces (102) can be transferred through the access opening (158) from a guide path section arranged outside the treatment chamber (148) to a guide path section arranged within the treatment chamber (148), and in particular by driving the workpieces (102) by means of one or more drive units.

[0448] 14. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 9 through 13, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises a locking device for locking the workpieces (102) in a treatment position within the treatment chamber (148), wherein a movement of the workpiece (102) counter to the direction of gravity (g) can in particular be blocked by means of the locking device.

[0449] 15. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 9 through 14, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises a movement device for tilting and/or turning the workpieces (102), and in particular for temporarily changing the position relative to an at least approximately horizontal normal position.

[0450] 16. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 1 through 15, wherein the treatment chamber (148) can be flooded with a fluid, wherein the treatment station (114) comprises one or more installation elements (188) which are arranged or can be arranged in the treatment chamber (148) for supporting a flooding process.

[0451] 17. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 16, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) are adapted or can be adapted with regard to their position and/or with regard to their function and/or with regard to their shape to the workpieces (102) to be treated.

[0452] 18. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 16 or 17, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) are designed as displacement elements (190), by means of which free spaces within the treatment chamber (148) can in particular be filled which remain free during the flooding process without the respective installation element (188) and would therefore need to be filled with fluid.

[0453] 19. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 18, characterized in that one or more displacement elements (190) are adapted or can be adapted at least in sections or in regions to a shape of the workpiece (102) to be treated.

[0454] 20. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 18 or 19, characterized in that one or more displacement elements (190) have a hollow body which can be filled and/or kept filled and/or emptied independently of the flooding process.

[0455] 21. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 18 through 20, characterized in that one or more displacement elements (190) are designed to be reshapeable and/or resizable, e.g., inflatable, and that the treatment station (114) comprises a variation device for varying the shape and/or size of the one or more displacement elements (190), and in particular for reducing a free space, within the treatment chamber (148), to be flooded for a treatment process.

[0456] 22. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 18 through 21, characterized in that one or more displacement elements (190) fill one or more free spaces in the region of a conveying device (110) of the treatment station (114).

[0457] 23. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 18 through 22, characterized in that one or more displacement elements (190) fill a free space above a workpiece (102) designed as a vehicle body (104), and in particular above a vehicle front and/or above a vehicle rear of the vehicle body (104).

[0458] 24. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 16 through 23, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) are designed as support elements (192) for supporting a workpiece (102) to be treated during the flooding process.

[0459] 25. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 24, characterized in that one or more of the support elements (192) respectively have a support section which serves for the direct abutment on the workpiece (102) for supporting the same.

[0460] 26. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 16 through 25, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) are designed as temperature-control elements for controlling the temperature of the treatment container (136) and/or of the fluid.

[0461] 27. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 16 through 26, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) are arranged or can be arranged temporarily, for one or more treatment processes and/or flooding processes, or permanently in the treatment chamber (148).

[0462] 28. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 16 through 27, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) for performing a flooding process can automatically be introduced into a free space of the treatment chamber (148) that is to be flooded and, after the flooding process has been performed, can be automatically removed from the free space to be flooded.

[0463] 29. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 28, characterized in that one or more installation elements (188) are arranged or can be arranged on a closing element (166) for closing an access opening (158) of the treatment container (136), and that, by moving the closing element (166) into a closed position, the one or more installation elements (188) can be brought into a position in which they support the flooding process.

[0464] 30. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 1 through 29, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises a fluid tank (134) for accommodating a fluid, and that the treatment station (114) comprises a fluid guide, by means of which the fluid can be guided

[0465] a) from the fluid tank (134) into the treatment container (136) in order to flood the treatment chamber (148); and/or

[0466] b) from the treatment container (136) into the fluid tank (134) in order to empty the treatment chamber (148).

[0467] 31. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 30, characterized in that the fluid tank (134) is arranged above the treatment container (136) with respect to the direction of gravity (g).

[0468] 32. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 or 31, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) comprises a pump device (198) by means of which the fluid can be pumped from the treatment chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134).

[0469] 33. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 through 32, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) comprises a fluid line, designed as a feed line (142), by means of which the fluid can be fed to the treatment chamber (148), wherein the feed line (142) opens into the treatment container (136) in a bottom region (146) of the same.

[0470] 34. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 33, characterized in that the treatment container (136) comprises an inflow region (194), which is in particular located below an access opening (158) of the treatment container (136) and is filled with fluid even in an emptied state of the treatment container (136) provided for exchanging a workpiece (102), wherein the feed line (142) opens into the inflow region (194).

[0471] 35. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 through 34, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) comprises a cleaning device (200) for cleaning the fluid, wherein the cleaning device (200) is in particular arranged in a return line of the fluid guide (140) for returning the fluid into the fluid tank (134).

[0472] 36. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 through 35, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises a control device, by means of which a flooding process in the treatment chamber (148) can be controlled and/or regulated—in particular, by controlling and/or regulating a valve device (144) for opening and closing a feed line (142) for feeding fluid to the treatment chamber (148).

[0473] 37. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 36, characterized in that one or more workpiece parameters, and in particular a geometry and/or size and/or position of the respective workpiece (102) within the treatment chamber (148), are taken into account in the control and/or regulation of the flooding process.

[0474] 38. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 36 or 37, characterized in that the flooding process can be controlled by means of the control device in such a way that a filling speed and/or a rate of change of the fill-level of the fluid in the treatment chamber (148) during the flooding is varied, and in particular adapted to local stability differences of the workpieces (102).

[0475] 39. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 36 through 38, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises one or more measuring devices by means of which a volume flow of the fluid flowing into the treatment chamber (148) and/or a fill-level or filling-level within the treatment chamber (148) and/or a fill-level or filling-level in the fluid tank (134) can be determined, wherein one or more measured values of the one or more measuring devices are taken into account in the control and/or regulation of the flooding process.

[0476] 40. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 through 39, characterized in that the treatment station (114) has a counter tank (196) which is in particular arranged below the treatment chamber (148) with respect to the direction of gravity (g) and to which the fluid to be discharged from the treatment chamber (148) can be fed.

[0477] 41. Treatment station (114) according to embodiment 40, characterized in that the fluid flows from the fluid tank (134) into the treatment chamber (148) and/or from the treatment chamber (148) into the counter tank (196) by using only gravity (g).

[0478] 42. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 through 41, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises two or more than two treatment chambers (148), and in particular two or more than two treatment containers (136) with one treatment chamber (148) each, wherein a common fluid tank (134) is provided for feeding the fluid to the two or more than two treatment chambers (148).

[0479] 43. Treatment station (114) according to one of embodiments 30 through 42, characterized in that the treatment station (114) comprises a flushing device for flushing and/or cleaning the treatment chamber (148), wherein a flushing medium can be introduced, and in particular sprayed, into the treatment chamber (148) and removed from the same by means of the flushing device—in particular, independently of the fluid, independently of the fluid tank (134), and/or independently of a counter tank (196).

[0480] 44. Treatment plant (100) comprising one or more treatment stations (114)—in particular, according to one of embodiments 1 through 43—characterized in that each treatment station (114) comprises at least one treatment container (136) which surrounds a treatment chamber (148) for accommodating workpieces (102), wherein each treatment station (114) separately, or one or more treatment stations (114) jointly, comprise a fluid tank (134) for accommodating a fluid, and wherein the treatment stations (114) comprise a fluid guide (140), by means of which the fluid can be guided

[0481] a) from the fluid tank (134) into the respective treatment container (136) in order to flood one or more treatment chambers (148); and/or

[0482] b) from the respective treatment container (136) into the fluid tank (134) in order to empty the treatment chambers (148).

[0483] 45. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 44, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises several first treatment stations (114) for performing a first treatment step and several second treatment stations (114) for performing a second treatment step, wherein one or more first treatment stations (114) and one or more second treatment stations (114) respectively are part of or form a treatment unit (106) of the treatment plant (100) that is passed through by the workpieces (102) in order to perform the treatment steps.

[0484] 46. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 45, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises several treatment units (106), each of which comprises one or more first treatment stations (114) and one or more second treatment stations (114) and which, in particular, form distinct treatment lines of the treatment plant (100), a) wherein one or more first treatment stations (114) of distinct treatment units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and/or a common fluid tank (134); and/or b) wherein one or more second treatment stations (114) of distinct treatment units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and/or a common fluid tank (134).

[0485] 47. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 46, characterized in that a fluid, and in particular a first treatment fluid, can be fed, by means of the fluid guide, first a) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114), and in particular first treatment stations (114), of a first treatment unit (106), and thereafter b) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114), and in particular first treatment stations (114), of a second treatment unit (106).

[0486] 48. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 47, characterized in that a fluid, and in particular a second treatment fluid, can be fed, by means of the fluid guide (140), first a) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114), and in particular second treatment stations (114), of a first treatment unit (106), and thereafter b) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114), and in particular second treatment stations (114), of a second treatment unit (106).

[0487] 49. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 48, characterized in that the fluid can alternately be fed, by means of the fluid guide (140), to treatment chambers (148) of distinct treatment units (106).

[0488] 50. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 49, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) is connected to a cleaning device (200) so that the fluid can in particular be cleaned after removal from one of the treatment chambers (148) and/or before a new feeding to a further one of the treatment chambers (148).

[0489] 51. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 50, characterized in that a total quantity of a fluid contained overall in a fluid guide (140) is at most approximately twice, and in particular at most approximately three times, a quantity of the fluid required for performing a single flooding process in a treatment chamber (148).

[0490] 52. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 51, characterized in that several, and in particular all, treatment stations (114) of a treatment unit (106), and in particular one or more or all first treatment stations (114) and one or more or all second treatment stations (114) of a treatment unit (106), are arranged on a common level of the treatment plant (100).

[0491] 53. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 52, characterized in that several treatment units (106) of the treatment plant (100) are arranged on distinct levels of the treatment plant (100).

[0492] 54. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 53, characterized in that one or more treatment stations (114) of distinct treatment units (106) of the treatment plant (100), which have a common fluid guide (140) and/or which serve to perform the same treatment step, are arranged one above the other along the direction of gravity (g).

[0493] 55. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 54, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises several fluid guides (140) for guiding distinct treatment fluids, wherein the fluid guides (140) are assigned to distinct treatment stations (114) for performing different treatment steps.

[0494] 56. Treatment plant (100)—in particular, according to one of embodiments 44 through 55—comprising:

[0495] several treatment stations (114) for treating the workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104),

[0496] wherein one or more treatment stations (114) respectively comprise at least one treatment container (136) which surrounds a treatment chamber (148) for accommodating the workpieces (102),

[0497] wherein the treatment plant (100) comprises a fluid guide (140) by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers (148) can selectively be flooded or emptied,

[0498] wherein the treatment plant (100) comprises a conveying device (110) for conveying the workpieces (102), by means of which, in an emptied state of the one or more treatment chambers (148), the workpieces (102) can be introduced into and/or discharged from the same.

[0499] 57. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 56, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be moved, and in particular introduced into the treatment chamber (148) and/or discharged from the treatment chamber (148), by means of the conveying device (110) along a horizontal plane.

[0500] 58. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 or 57, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises a main conveying path (118) which extends in a main conveying direction (116) and along which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed by means of the conveying device (110) from a treatment station (114) to a further treatment station (114).

[0501] 59. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 58, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be conveyed in a transverse orientation (132) of the same along the main conveying direction (116) and/or along the main conveying path (118).

[0502] 60. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 59, characterized in that the workpieces (102), in a longitudinal orientation (202) of the same, can be introduced into and/or discharged from one or more treatment chambers (148).

[0503] 61. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 60, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be introduced into the treatment chambers (148) in an introduction direction (182), wherein the introduction direction (182) is transverse, and in particular perpendicular, to a main conveying direction (116) of the conveying device (110).

[0504] 62. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 61, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises several treatment stations (114) for performing identical treatment steps, wherein two or more such treatment stations (114) are arranged on opposite sides of a main conveying path (118) of the conveying device (110).

[0505] 63. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 62, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises several treatment stations (114) for performing identical treatment steps, wherein two or more such treatment stations (114) are arranged in succession and/or next to one another along a main conveying direction (116) of the conveying device (110).

[0506] 64. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 63, characterized in that several treatment stations (114) form a treatment unit (106), wherein several, and in particular all, treatment stations (114) of a treatment unit (106), and in particular one or more or all first treatment stations (114) and one or more or all second treatment stations (114) of a treatment unit (106), are arranged on a common level of the treatment plant (100).

[0507] 65. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 64, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises a main conveying path (118) which extends in a main conveying direction (116) and along which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed by means of the conveying device (110) from a treatment station (114) to a further treatment station (114), wherein the main conveying path (118) comprises one or more tunnel sections (120) for housing the main conveying path (118), wherein one or more tunnel sections (120), and in particular one or more tunnel sections (120) arranged along the main conveying direction (116) between two treatment stations (114), have a cleaning station (122) and/or flushing station (126) and/or spraying station (124).

[0508] 66. Treatment plant (100) of one of embodiments 56 through 65, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises two treatment units (106) which are arranged on a common level of the treatment plant (100), wherein main conveying paths (118) of the conveying devices (110) of the two treatment units (106) are oriented in antiparallel to one another and/or are arranged linearly in succession.

[0509] 67. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 66, characterized in that the two treatment units (106) have a) feeding stations (108), arranged facing away from one another, for feeding the workpieces (102), and/or b) removal stations (128), arranged facing one another, for removing the workpieces (102), and/or c) a common removal station (128) for removing the workpieces (102).

[0510] 68. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 56 through 67, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises one or more branching conveyors by means of which the workpieces (102)

[0511] a) can be removed from a main conveying path (116) and can be introduced into one or more treatment chambers (148); and/or

[0512] b) can be discharged from one or more treatment chambers (148) and can be brought back onto the main conveying path (116).

[0513] 69. Treatment plant (100)—in particular, according to one of embodiments 44 through 68—comprising:

[0514] several treatment stations (114) for treating the workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (114),

[0515] wherein one or more treatment stations (114) respectively comprise at least one treatment container (136) which surrounds a treatment chamber (148) for accommodating the workpieces (102),

[0516] wherein the treatment plant (100) comprises a fluid guide (140) by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers (148) can selectively be flooded or emptied,

[0517] wherein the treatment plant (100) comprises a conveying device (110) for conveying the workpieces (102), by means of which, in an emptied state of the respective treatment chamber (148), the workpieces (102) can be introduced into the same through an access opening (158) designed as an introduction opening (160) and by means of which, in an emptied state of the respective treatment chamber (148), the workpieces (102) can be discharged from the same through an access opening (158) designed as a discharge opening (162), wherein the introduction opening (160) and the discharge opening (162) are distinct access openings (158).

[0518] 70. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 69, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be moved, and in particular introduced into the treatment chamber (148) and/or discharged from the treatment chamber (148), by means of the conveying device (110) along a horizontal plane.

[0519] 71. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 or 70, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises a main conveying path (118) which extends in a main conveying direction (116) and along which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed by means of the conveying device (110) from a treatment station (114) to a further treatment station (114).

[0520] 72. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 71, characterized in that the workpieces (102) can be conveyed, in a longitudinal orientation (202) of the same, along the main conveying direction (116) and/or along the main conveying path (118).

[0521] 73. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 72, characterized in that the workpieces (102), in a longitudinal orientation (202) of the same, can be conveyed through one or more treatment chambers (148).

[0522] 74. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 73, characterized in that the conveying device (110) comprises one or more transfer stations (210), on which or by means of which the workpieces (102) can selectively be transferred from a treatment station (114) to a further treatment station (114), which follows along a main conveying direction (116), of the same treatment unit (106) and/or of a treatment unit (106) different therefrom of the treatment plant (100).

[0523] 75. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 74, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises several treatment stations (114) for performing identical treatment steps, wherein two or more such treatment stations (114) are arranged adjacently to one another and/or are parts of treatment units (106), extending in parallel to one another, or treatment lines of the treatment plant (100).

[0524] 76. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 75, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises a main conveying path (118) which extends in a main conveying direction (116) and along which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed by means of the conveying device (110) from a treatment station (114) to a further treatment station (114), wherein the main conveying path (118) comprises one or more tunnel sections (120) for housing the main conveying path (118), wherein one or more tunnel sections (120), and in particular one or more tunnel sections (120) arranged along the main conveying direction (116) between two treatment stations (114), have a cleaning station (122) and/or flushing station (126) and/or spraying station (124).

[0525] 77. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 76, characterized in that one or more cleaning stations (122) and/or flushing stations (126) and/or spraying stations (124) are arranged or formed on one or more transfer stations (210).

[0526] 78. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 77, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises at least two treatment stations (114) for performing the same treatment process, and in that a distributor device (112) or a combining device (130) are arranged in front of and/or after these treatment stations (114) with respect to a main conveying direction (116) of the workpieces (102).

[0527] 79. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 78, characterized in that the distributor device (112) and/or the combining device (130) are respectively designed as a transverse displacement device (208).

[0528] 80. Treatment plant (100) according to one of embodiments 69 through 79, characterized in that the treatment plant (100) comprises one or more treatment stations (114) for performing flooding processes and one or more treatment stations (114) for performing dipping processes.

[0529] 81. Treatment plant (100) according to embodiment 80, characterized in that

[0530] a) the one or more treatment stations (114) for performing flooding processes are used for pretreating, and in particular cleaning, degreasing, and/or phosphating, the workpieces (102); and/or

[0531] b) the one or more treatment stations (114) for performing dipping processes are used for coating, and in particular painting, the workpieces (102).

[0532] 82. Method for treating workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), wherein in particular one or more treatment stations (114) according to one of embodiments 1 through 43 and/or one or more treatment plants (100) according to one of embodiments 44 through 81 are used.

[0533] 83. Method—in particular, according to embodiment 82—wherein the method comprises the following: [0534] introducing a workpiece (102) into a treatment chamber (148) of a treatment container (136); [0535] flooding the treatment chamber (148) with a fluid for performing a workpiece treatment, wherein the fluid is guided

[0536] a) from the fluid tank (134) into the treatment container (136) in order to flood the treatment chamber (148); and/or

[0537] b) from the treatment container (136) into the fluid tank (134) in order to empty the treatment chamber (148).

[0538] 84. Method—in particular, according to one of embodiments 82 or 83—wherein the method comprises the following: [0539] introducing one or more workpieces (102) into one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114); [0540] flooding the one or more treatment chambers (148) with a fluid for performing the treatment,

[0541] wherein, by means of a fluid guide (140), the fluid is guided

[0542] a) from the fluid tank (134) into the respective treatment chamber (148) in order to flood one or more treatment chambers (148); and/or

[0543] b) from the respective treatment chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134) in order to empty the treatment chambers (148).

[0544] 85. Method according to one of embodiments 82 through 84, characterized in that the fluid is successively, and in particular completely staggered in time,

[0545] a) removed from the fluid tank (134) and fed to one or more treatment chambers (148), and [0546] b) thereafter, and in particular subsequently or at a later time, e.g., after a cleaning of the fluid in a cleaning device (200), is guided back into the fluid tank (134),

[0547] wherein the fluid tank (134) and/or the one or more treatment chambers (148) are thereby preferably alternately filled and emptied.

[0548] 86. Method according to one of embodiments 82 through 85, characterized in that the fluid is successively, and in particular completely staggered in time,

[0549] a) fed to one or more treatment chambers (148) of a treatment station (114) of a first treatment unit (106), and

[0550] b) thereafter, and in particular subsequently or at a later time, e.g., after an interim storage in an interim storage tank, is fed to one or more treatment chambers (148) of a treatment station (114) of a second treatment unit (106).

[0551] 87. Method—in particular, according to one of embodiments 82 through 86—for treating workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), wherein the method comprises the following: [0552] introducing a workpiece (102) through an access opening (158) of a treatment container (136) into a treatment chamber (148) of the treatment container (136); [0553] closing the access opening (158) of the treatment container (136) by means of a closing device (164); [0554] flooding the treatment chamber (148) with a fluid for performing a workpiece treatment.

[0555] 88. Method—in particular, according to one of embodiments 82 through 87—for treating workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), wherein the method comprises the following:

[0556] conveying one or more workpieces (102) by means of a conveying device (110);

[0557] introducing the one or more workpieces (102) into a treatment chamber (148) of a treatment station (114) for performing a treatment step;

[0558] flooding the treatment chamber (148) with a fluid;

[0559] removing the fluid and discharging the workpieces (102) from the treatment chamber (148) by means of the conveying device (110),

[0560] wherein the workpieces (102) are introduced into the treatment chamber (148) and discharged from the same in particular in an at least approximately horizontal direction.

[0561] 89. Method—in particular, according to one of embodiments 82 through 88—for treating workpieces (102), characterized in that the workpieces (102) are conveyed along a main conveying direction (116) from one treatment station (114) to the next and are introduced into the treatment chambers (148) of the treatment stations (114) in an introduction direction (182) extending transversely, and in particular perpendicularly, to the main conveying direction (116).

[0562] 90. Method—in particular, according to one of embodiments 82 through 89—for treating workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), wherein the method comprises the following: [0563] introducing a workpiece (102) into a treatment chamber (148) of a treatment container (136); [0564] flooding the treatment chamber (148) with a fluid for performing a workpiece treatment, wherein the flooding is supported by means of one or more installation elements (188) that are arranged or can be arranged in the treatment chamber (148).

[0565] 91. Method—in particular, according to one of embodiments 82 through 90—for treating workpieces (102), and in particular for cleaning and/or coating vehicle bodies (104), wherein the method comprises the following:

[0566] conveying one or more workpieces (102) by means of a conveying device (110);

[0567] introducing the one or more workpieces (102) into a treatment chamber (148) of a treatment station (114) for performing a treatment step;

[0568] flooding the treatment chamber (148) with a fluid;

[0569] removing the fluid and discharging the workpieces (102) from the treatment chamber (148) by means of the conveying device (110),

[0570] wherein, by means of the conveying device (110), in an emptied state of the respective treatment chamber (148), the workpieces (102) are introduced into the same through an access opening (158) designed as an introduction opening (160) and by means of which, in an emptied state of the respective treatment chamber (148), the workpieces (102) are discharged from the same through an access opening (158) designed as a discharge opening (162), wherein the introduction opening (160) and the discharge opening (162) are distinct access openings (158).

[0571] 92. Method according to embodiment 91, characterized in that the workpieces (102) are conveyed, in a longitudinal orientation (202) of the same, along a main conveying direction (116) from one treatment station (114) to the next and are conveyed through the treatment chambers (148) of the treatment stations (114) in the same longitudinal orientation (202).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0572] 100 Treatment plant [0573] 102 Workpiece [0574] 104 Vehicle body [0575] 106 Treatment unit [0576] 108 Feeding station [0577] 110 Conveying device [0578] 112 Distributor device [0579] 114 Treatment station [0580] 116 Main conveying direction [0581] 118 Main conveying path [0582] 120 Tunnel section [0583] 122 Cleaning station [0584] 124 Spraying station [0585] 126 Flushing station [0586] 128 Removal station [0587] 130 Combining device [0588] 132 Transverse orientation [0589] 134 Fluid tank [0590] 136 Treatment container [0591] 138 Collecting element [0592] 140 Fluid guide [0593] 142 Feed line [0594] 144 Valve device [0595] 146 Bottom region [0596] 148 Treatment chamber [0597] 150 Bottom wall [0598] 152 Ceiling wall [0599] 154 Side wall [0600] 156 Front wall [0601] 158 Access opening [0602] 160 Introduction opening [0603] 162 Discharge opening [0604] 164 Closing device [0605] 166 Closing element [0606] 168 Closing drive [0607] 170 Lifting device [0608] 172 Lock gate [0609] 174 Guiding device [0610] 176 Guiding device [0611] 178 Accommodation device [0612] 180 Skid [0613] 182 Introduction direction [0614] 184 Horizontal direction [0615] 186 Discharge line [0616] 188 Installation element [0617] 190 Displacement element [0618] 192 Support element [0619] 194 Inflow region [0620] 196 Counter tank [0621] 198 Pump device [0622] 200 Cleaning device [0623] 202 Longitudinal orientation [0624] 204 Turntable [0625] 206 End [0626] 208 Transverse displacement device [0627] 210 Transfer station [0628] 212 Dip tank [0629] 214 Folding element [0630] 216 Collecting funnel [0631] 218 Collecting container [0632] 220 Drive unit [0633] 222 Guide path section [0634] 224 Coupling device [0635] 226 Outer side [0636] 228 Side wall [0637] 230 Through-opening [0638] 232 Coupling element [0639] 234 Pulling element [0640] 236 Tensioning element [0641] 238 Sensor device [0642] 240 Sensor element [0643] 242 Transducer element [0644] 244 Coupling rod [0645] g Direction of gravity