WO2013000808A1 - Cascade-like air ducting for the working regions of a coating installation - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a surface treatment device for treating a surface of a workpiece that can be operated particularly energy-efficiently, it is proposed that the surface treatment device comprises at least two working regions, in which the surface of the workpiece can be treated, at least one regenerable filter device for cleaning a gas stream passed through at least one of the at least two working regions and at least one flow ducting device for a cascade stream, which comprises at least part of the gas stream passed through at least one delivering working region of the at least two working regions and can be fed to at least one receiving working region of the at least two working regions.

Description

 CASCADE-TYPE AIR CONDUCTOR FOR THE WORKING AREAS ONE

 COATING LINE

The present invention relates to a surface treatment apparatus for treating a surface of a workpiece.

Surface treatment devices are, for example, painting devices for painting workpieces, for example vehicle bodies. Such surface treatment devices usually comprise a plurality of work areas in which the surface of the workpiece is treatable. For example, it can be provided that the surface of the workpiece is treated in a first working area with a filler and painted in a second work area. In order to ensure a high quality in the treatment of the surface of the workpiece, the working areas of the surface treatment device is supplied with purified air having a predetermined temperature and / or a predetermined atmospheric humidity. The provision of air for these areas is energy consuming.

The present invention has for its object to provide a surface treatment device of the type mentioned, which is particularly energy efficient operable.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the surface treatment device comprises:

 at least two work areas in which the surface of the workpiece is treatable;

 at least one regenerable filter device for cleaning a gas flow guided through at least one of the at least two working areas; and

at least one flow-guiding device for a cascade flow, which comprises at least a part of the at least one emitting working area of the at least two working areas Guided gas flow includes and at least one receiving work area of at least two work areas can be fed.

By virtue of the fact that the surface treatment device comprises at least one regenerable filter device for cleaning a gas flow guided through at least one of the at least two operating regions, the gas flow subjected to pollutants in a treatment operation of the surface treatment device can be cleaned in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

In this context, a treatment operation of the surface treatment device-in contrast to a maintenance operation or a stand-by operation-means an operating mode of the surface treatment device in which a surface of a workpiece is treated, for example prepared for painting, painted, reworked, dried and / or controlled becomes.

Characterized in that the surface treatment device comprises at least one flow control device for a cascade flow, which comprises at least a portion of the guided through at least one donating working area of the at least two working areas gas stream and at least one receiving working area of the at least two working areas can be supplied, is a separate gas flow treatment device for providing a gas flow with predetermined temperature and / or predetermined air humidity for the at least one receiving working area, which is connected downstream of the at least one dispensing work area in a flow direction of the cascade flow, preferably dispensable.

The at least two working areas of the surface treatment device are thus arranged one behind the other in a flow direction of the gas flow, in particular in the flow direction of the cascade flow, so that the cascade flow first flows through the one working area Workspace as a donating work area emits the cascade flow and finally the other work area, namely the receiving work area, receives the output from the donating work area cascade stream.

In this specification and the appended claims, a surface treatment apparatus is to be understood in particular to mean a device by means of which a surface of a workpiece, for example a surface of a vehicle body, can be pretreated, coated, painted, waxed and / or dried in a treatment operation, for example.

In particular, it can be provided that a surface of a workpiece can be painted with fluid paint by means of the surface treatment device.

In contrast to the term "powder coating", the term "fluid paint" refers to a paint having a flowable consistency, from liquid to pasty (for example in the case of a PVC plastisol). The term

"Fluid paint" includes in particular the terms "liquid paint" and "wet paint".

The order in which the work areas of the surface treatment device are successively flown through with the cascade flow is not necessarily the order in which the workpieces pass through the different work areas of the surface treatment device.

In this description and the appended claims, a regenerable filter device is understood as meaning, for example, a separating device for separating impurities from a gas stream guided through at least one working region, in particular for separating fluid paint overspray from a gas stream containing overspray particles. A regenerable filter device is furthermore in particular a filter device with at least one dry filter element and / or a dry separation device, in which a cleaning of a gas stream takes place without the use of a liquid for separating impurities.

In the case of a regenerable filter device, it may further be provided that the filter device comprises at least one filter element which, in filter operation, is provided with a barrier layer and / or a protective layer which comprises filter aid material, for example stone meal. In this way, it can be prevented in filter operation of the filter device that the filter element is clogged with impurities from the gas stream supplied to the filter device. By cleaning off the barrier layer or protective layer from the filter element of the filter device, a particularly simple regeneration of the filter element can take place, which can subsequently be reused by applying a fresh barrier layer or a fresh protective layer.

In particular, when the filter aid for the regenerable

Filter device can absorb moisture, it can be provided that the surface treatment device does not comprise a dehumidifying device, since the filter aid material can already absorb the incurred during the treatment operation of the surface area treatment device moisture.

A regenerable (regenerative) filter device is to be understood as meaning all equivalent filter devices which are capable of separating them from a gas stream containing overspray particles and, preferably, preparing them appropriately for disposal. Accordingly, a regenerable (regenerative) filter device is to be understood, for example, as thermally processable metal sieves or all embodiments of (wet or dry) electrostatic precipitators. In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one regenerable filter device is arranged in a flow direction of the cascade flow between at least one emitting working area and at least one receiving working area. In this way, the cascade flow between the at least two working areas can be cleaned so that a purified gas stream can be supplied to the at least one receiving working area.

It may be advantageous if at least one dispensing work area and / or at least one receiving work area is an automated work area in which no persons are present in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device.

An automated work area in this description and the appended claims is to be understood in particular as a work area in which the surface of a workpiece can be treated automatically, that is to say preferably without the intervention of persons, by means of machines, for example robots. In an automated work area, a pollutant amount in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device is usually irrelevant, since the arranged in the automated work area machines work reliably even at high levels of pollutants.

Preferably, the surface treatment device comprises at least one automated work area for coating, drying and / or inspecting the workpieces.

In particular, it may be provided that a surface of a workpiece in an automated work area is coated by applying a primer, a primer, a filler, a paint, a topcoat, a clearcoat and / or a protective lacquer. In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that various work areas for treating different surfaces of the workpiece, in particular different work areas for treating inner surfaces of a trained example as a vehicle body workpiece on the one hand and outer surfaces of the example designed as a vehicle body workpiece on the other hand, are provided.

An automated work area of the surface treatment apparatus may also be formed as a preparation area for preparing a coating and / or drying the work piece.

It is favorable if at least one dispensing work area and / or at least one receiving work area is a manual work area in which at least one person resides in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device.

A manual work area in this specification and the appended claims is a work area in which

Treatment operation of the surface treatment device is a treatment of a surface of a workpiece by the action of a person.

For example, the surface treatment apparatus may include at least one manual work area for coating, drying, and / or inspecting the workpieces.

In particular, it may be provided that in a manual work area, a surface of a workpiece is coated by applying an adhesion promoter, a primer, a filler, a color coat, a topcoat, a clearcoat and / or a protective lacquer.

In principle, various work areas can be provided, in which different areas of a surface of the workpiece, For example, an inside (inner surface) and an outside

(outer surface) of the workpiece, treated in succession, for example coated.

A manual work area can also be a preparation area for preparing the coating and / or drying.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one flow guide device comprises at least one flow path merging device, so that the gas streams from at least two dispensing work areas can be fed to at least one receiving working area, and / or that at least one flow guidance device comprises at least one flow path branching device, so that the Gas stream from at least one donating work area at least two receiving work areas can be fed.

In particular, when the flow guide device comprises at least one Strömungswegzusammenführungsvorrichtung, by combining cascade streams from a donating work area with less pollutant load and a donating work area with higher pollutant dilution of the cascade flow from the donating work area with higher pollution can be achieved, so that by the merger resulting total cascade flow preferably has a pollutant load, which is below a predetermined tolerance limit.

In particular, when the flow guiding device comprises at least one flow path branching device, it can be provided that a receiving working area, which only has to be supplied with a small amount of gas, is supplied with only a part of the gas flow originating from the dispensing working area. It is preferably provided that a division of a gas flow, in particular with regard to a division ratio, and / or a combination of a gas flow, in particular with regard to a mixing ratio, between at least one donating work area and at least one receiving work area by means of a control device is controlled and / or regulated.

It may be favorable if, by means of at least one flow guiding device, a gas stream from at least one working area can be supplied to at least one working area with a first pollutant load in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device, with the first pollutant load being less than the second pollutant load ,

Under a pollutant load in this specification and the appended claims is to be understood in particular the load of the gas flow generated by the treatment operation of the surface treatment device in the respective work area with substances that may pose a risk to a person's health.

Substances of this type which can pose a risk to the health of a person are, in particular, volatile substances, for example solvents, in particular organic solvents, which are absorbed by the gas stream when applying primers, lacquer layers and other coatings to the workpieces and / or during drying of the workpieces become.

Furthermore, pollutants may be substances which are taken up by the gas stream and can adversely affect the quality of a treatment process in a downstream working area. For example, it can be provided that in at least one dispensing work area a water-based paint is applied to the workpiece, which releases a small amount of solvents, and that in the at least one receiving working area a solvent (in particular with organic solvent) is applied to the workpiece, which releases a larger amount of solvents.

It can be advantageous if the cascade flow fresh air, in particular (purified) indoor air from a surrounding the surface treatment device hall and / or outside air from the free environment of the surface treatment device or a surrounding hall is supplied to the dilution of the polluted gas stream. The diluted pollutant-containing gas stream can then be supplied to at least one receiving working area with a low pollutant tolerance limit.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that by means of at least one flow-guiding device, a gas stream from at least one working area with a first contaminant tolerance limit for the treatment operation of the surface treatment device at least one

Work area with a second pollution tolerance limit for the treatment operation of the surface treatment device can be fed, wherein the first pollution tolerance limit is lower than the second pollution tolerance limit.

A pollution tolerance limit in this specification and the appended claims is to be understood as a maximum value for a pollutant load which may prevail in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device. In particular, such pollutant tolerances serve to avoid damage to health in persons who are in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device in a contaminated with pollutants work area, and / or to avoid of explosive gas flows and / or contaminating influences on coatings other than coatings.

Preferably, at least three working areas are provided, which can be flowed through by at least one flow-guiding device successively from at least part of the cascade flow, in particular from the entire cascade flow. In this way, a particularly energy-efficient treatment operation of the surface treatment device is possible.

In particular, it can be provided that the three work areas flowed through in succession have an increasing pollutant load and / or an increasing pollutant tolerance limit.

It can be particularly advantageous if at least four working areas are provided, which can be flowed through in succession by at least one part of the cascade flow, in particular by the entire cascade flow, by means of at least one flow guiding device.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that by means of at least one flow-guiding device, a cascade flow can be supplied to several working areas arranged one behind the other with respect to the flow direction of the cascade flow, wherein the work areas arranged one behind the other with respect to the flow direction of the cascade flow comprise an alternating series of manual work areas, in which the treatment operation of FIG Surface treatment device at least one person stops, and automated work areas in which no persons are present in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device form.

Furthermore, it can be provided that by means of at least one flow-guiding device, a cascade flow can be fed to a plurality of working areas arranged one behind the other with respect to the flow direction of the cascade flow, wherein the cascade flow with respect to the flow direction of the cascade flow successively arranged work areas form an alternating series of work areas with a first pollutant load and / or a first pollutant tolerance limit in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device and work areas with a second pollutant load or a second pollutant tolerance limit in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device, the first pollutant load and / or the first pollutant tolerance limit lower is the second

Pollutant load and / or the second pollutant tolerance limit.

Preferably, at least four work areas are provided, which are successively flowed through by means of at least one flow guide device with a cascade flow, wherein the work areas an alternating series of manual and automated work areas and / or work areas with a first and a second pollutant load and / or work areas with a first and a second pollutant tolerance limit in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device, wherein the first pollutant load and / or the first pollutant tolerance limit is lower or higher than the second pollutant load or the second pollutant tolerance limit.

The surface treatment device preferably comprises at least one heat recovery device, by means of which heat from a discharged gas stream can be transmitted to a gas stream to be supplied to at least one working region.

In particular, it can be provided here that the discharged gas stream is a gas stream which is no longer supplied to a working area.

It may be favorable if the surface treatment device comprises a conditioning device for conditioning a gas flow to be supplied to the at least one working region. Such a conditioning device is arranged in particular in front of the first working area and preferably designed together with the at least one flow-guiding device such that a further conditioning device for conditioning a further gas flow to be supplied to at least one working area is dispensable. In particular, in this case a conditioning device between two working areas of the surface treatment device, which are successively flowed through by a cascade flow, dispensable.

The present invention is based on the further object of providing a method for operating a surface treatment device, which enables a particularly energy-efficient operation of a surface treatment device.

This object is achieved in that the surface treatment device comprises at least two working areas for treating a surface of workpieces, wherein a gas stream, which is guided by at least one donating work area of at least two working areas, at least partially as a cascade stream

at least one receiving workspace of the at least two

Work areas is supplied and wherein at least a portion of the guided through at least one of the at least two working areas gas stream is purified by means of a regenerative filter device.

The inventive method preferably has the above in the

Related to the surface treatment device according to the invention described features and / or advantages.

Furthermore, the surface treatment device according to the invention and / or the method according to the invention may have the features and / or advantages described below: By means of the surface treatment device according to the invention and / or the method according to the invention, a conversion solution of wet separation plants to dry separation plants is possible, whereby preferably existing supply air plants can be used further.

In connection with dry separators, preferably an air cascading, in particular a multiple cascading of manual work areas (hand zones) into automated work areas (automatic zones) can be realized.

In particular, a cascading of hand zones with water-based paint (with a low solvent content) can be provided in hand zones with solvent-based lacquer (with a high proportion of solvent).

Furthermore, a cascading of automatic zones with water-based lacquer can be provided in automatic zones with solvent-based lacquer.

In one embodiment of the invention, a cascading of hand zones with water paint in hand zones with solvent-based paint, then provided in automatic zones with water-based paint and finally in automatic zones with solvent-based paint.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, a cascading of hand zones with water-based paint into automatic zones with water-based paint, then in hand zones with solvent-based lacquer and finally in automatic zones with solvent-based lacquer can be provided.

Due to the preferred use of dry separation, a dehumidifying device is preferably dispensable. In order to avoid an undesired penetration of filter aid material from a regenerable filter device into a work area arranged downstream of the filter device, even in the event of damage to the filter device, it can be provided that an additional safety filter (emergency filter, police filter) is provided in the flow direction between the filter device and the work area is.

In particular, by means of a heat exchanger, such as a heat wheel, an energy recovery at the end of the process chain can take place, for example, discharged from a last flowed through workspace air dissipates the heat contained therein and this heat is transferred to the first working area to be supplied gas stream.

A cascade of the cascade flow is preferably carried out by

Work areas with low pollution (low solvent attack), in which, for example, water paint or powder coating is processed or which are designed as control work zones or rework zones.

Subsequently, the cascade stream is preferably passed through work areas with high pollutant load (higher solvent attack), in which a solvent-based paint, 3-wet paint (wet-on-wet-in-wet paint) or clearcoat is processed.

In particular, a solvent concentration cascade can be achieved by an increasing proportion of solvent in the successively flowed through work areas.

After passing through the cascade guide, it can be provided that the cascade flow is discharged directly to the environment or is previously cleaned by means of an exhaust air purification device, for example a regenerative thermal oxidation system. Alternatively or additionally, the heat contained in the cascade stream can be recovered by means of a heat recovery device. In particular, if the pollutants contained in the cascade flow, in particular concentrated, are flammable, can be done by supplying the cascade flow to a combustion device, a simple cleaning of the discharged cascade flow and at the same time use of the chemical energy contained in the pollutants.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

In the drawings show:

1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a surface treatment device, which comprises a first flow guide device for a filler unit of the surface treatment device and a second flow guidance device for a top coat system of the surface treatment device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration, corresponding to FIG. 1, of a second embodiment of a surface treatment device which comprises a common flow-guiding device for the filler system and the topcoat system of the surface treatment device, wherein the flow-guiding device enables the supply of conditioned fresh air to the filler system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation corresponding to FIG. 1 of a third embodiment of a surface treatment device comprising a common flow-guiding device for the filler system and the topcoat system of the surface treatment device, wherein the flow-guiding device enables the supply of conditioned fresh air to the topcoat system; FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration, corresponding to FIG. 1, of a fourth embodiment of a surface treatment device, which comprises an alternative embodiment of a flow guidance device with alternative flow guidance and in which all application regions of the surface treatment device are designed as automated work areas;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a surface treatment device which comprises a further alternative embodiment of a flow guidance device with alternative flow guidance and in which all application regions of the surface treatment device are designed as automated work areas; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation corresponding to Fig. 1 of a sixth embodiment of a surface treatment apparatus in which a flow guide device has been replaced without cascading gas streams through a flow control device for a cascade flow.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

One in Fig. 1, shown as a whole as 100, comprises a filler unit 102 for applying filler to workpieces (not shown), a topcoat unit 104 for painting the workpieces, and flow guiding apparatuses 106 for supplying working areas 108 of the filler unit 102 and the topcoat unit 104 with air. The filler unit 102 of the surface treatment apparatus 100 comprises four work areas 108, namely a preparation area 110, two application areas 112, 113 and a control area 114.

The working areas 108 of the filler installation 102 are arranged one after the other in a conveying direction 116, in which a workpiece is conveyed through the filler installation 102, so that a workpiece passes first through the preparation area 110, then through the application areas 112, 113 and finally through the control area 114 can be promoted.

The Applizierbereiche 112, 113 of the filler 102 are used in the in Fig. 1 of the surface treatment apparatus 100 for applying filler to the workpiece, wherein the application region 112 directly following the preparation region 110 with respect to the conveying direction 116 is for applying filler to internal surfaces of the workpiece and the application region 113 downstream of the application region 112 in the conveying direction 116 the application of filler on outer surfaces of the workpiece is used.

In the first embodiment of the surface treatment apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, it is provided that a treatment of the workpiece in the preparation area 110, in the first application area 112 for applying filler to the inner sides of the workpiece and a control of the workpiece in the control area 114 are performed manually, that is in that in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device 100, persons must be present in these areas for carrying out the respective work step.

The preparation area 110, the first application area 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, and the control area 114 are thus in the case of FIG. 1 illustrated first embodiment of Surface treatment device 100 formed as manual work areas 108m.

On the other hand, the second application area 113 of the filler installation 102, in which filler is applied to the outer surface of the workpiece, is an automated work area 108a in which no persons are present in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device 100, but in which a treatment of the workpiece, that is to say one Applying filler on the outer surface of the workpiece, by means of program-controlled machines, in particular by means of robots, takes place.

Since, during the treatment operation of the surface treatment device 100, the air guided through the application regions 112, 113 is contaminated with filler overspray, the application regions 112, 113 are each assigned a regenerable filter device 118, by means of which the filler overspray is particularly easily removed from the surface by the application regions 112, 113 guided air can be separated.

The flow guide device 106 assigned to the filler unit 102 is referred to below as 106a and comprises an air supply system 120 for supplying supply air via an air supply line 122 to the work areas 108 of the filler system 102.

The supply air system 120 comprises a conditioning device 124, by means of which the supply air to be supplied to the work areas 108 can be conditioned. In particular, by means of the conditioning device 124, a desired temperature and / or a desired air humidity of the supply air to be supplied to the work areas 108 can be set in a targeted manner.

For example, it can be provided that the conditioning device 124 comprises at least one filter element, at least one dehumidifying device, at least one heating device and / or at least one moistening device and that by means of at least one fan Conditioning device 124, the constituents of the conditioning device 124 can be flowed through in succession with supply air in order to condition the supply air.

In the case of the first embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the flow-guiding device 106a of the filler installation 102 is designed such that air can initially be supplied to the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 by means of the supply air installation 120. For this purpose, the flow-guiding device 106a comprises a flow-path branching device 126, by means of which the supply air guided through the conditioning device 124 can be distributed to the said work areas 108.

After flowing through the work areas 108 of the filler installation 102 formed as preparation area 110 and as a control area 114, the gas flows guided through the work areas 108 are merged by means of a flow path merging device 128 of the flow guide device 106a and as aggregated total flow to the first application area 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces supplied to the workpiece. The preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the filler installation 102 thus form dispensing work areas 130 which emit a gas stream in the treatment operation of the surface treatment apparatus 100.

The first application area 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece thereby forms a receiving working area 132, which receives the air originating from the preparation area 110 and the control area 114.

The work areas 108 are thus arranged at least partially cascade-shaped one behind the other, so that the gas flow guided through the work areas 108 is a cascade flow 134. After flowing through the first application region 112 of the filler unit 102 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the cascade flow 134 is supplied from the first application region 112 to the second application region 113 of the filler unit 102 for applying filler to the outer surfaces of the workpiece.

In this case, the first application region 112 forms the donating working region 130. The second application region 113 is correspondingly the receiving working region 132.

After flowing through the second application region 113 for automatically applying filler to the outer surface of the workpiece, the cascade flow 134 is removed by means of an exhaust air line 136.

The heat contained in the cascade flow 134 is removed from the cascade flow 134 by means of a heat recovery device 137 and transferred to the supply air supplied by means of the supply air line 122.

By means of the flow-guiding device 106a of the filler installation 102, first manual working areas 108m and finally an automated working area 108a are subsequently flowed through in succession with the cascade flow 134.

In this embodiment of the flow device 106a, a conditioning of the supply air by means of the conditioning device 124 is only necessary for the preparation region 110 and the control region 114.

All manual work areas 108m are traversed with air, which is not or at least only very slightly contaminated with pollutants. Only when flowing through the first application region 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece is the cascade flow 134 subjected to significant levels of pollutants. The purified by means of the regenerable filter device 118 air of the cascade stream 134 is then supplied to the second application area 113 for applying filler on the outer surfaces of the workpiece, which is an automated work area 108a without additional fresh air supply and without concentration of pollutants.

Due to the design of the filter device 118 as regenerable filter device 118, dehumidification of the cascade stream 134 is not necessary since the filter aids used in the regenerable filter devices 118 preferably absorb the moisture absorbed by the cascade stream 134 during the treatment operation of the surface treatment device 100 and thus from the cascade stream 134 can remove.

The topcoat equipment 104 of the surface treatment apparatus 100 comprises a total of six work areas 108, namely a preparation area 110 for preparing the workpiece, an application area 138 for applying topcoat to the interior surfaces of the workpiece, an application area 140 for applying topcoat to the exterior surfaces of the workpiece Applicator 142 for applying clearcoat on the inner surfaces of the workpiece, an application area 144 for applying clearcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece and a control area 114 for controlling or post-treating the painted workpiece.

All application regions 138, 140, 142, 144 are each assigned at least one regenerable filter device 118.

The preparation area 110, the application areas 138, 140, 142, 144 and the control area 114 of the topcoat system 104 are successively arranged in the conveying direction 116, in which a workpiece is conveyed through the topcoat system 104, so that one in the conveying direction 116 through the Topcoat system 104 through successively conveyed first through the preparation area 110, then the Applizierbereich 138, the Applizier- area 140, the Applizierbereich 142, the Applizierbereich 144 and finally the control area 114.

The preparation area 110 of the topcoat system 104 is downstream of the control area 114 of the filler installation 102 in the conveying direction 116 so that a workpiece can be fed directly to the preparation area 110 of the topcoat installation 104 after leaving the control area 114 of the filler installation 102.

In the first embodiment of the surface treatment apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the preparation area 110, the

Application areas 138, 142 for applying a layer to the inner surfaces of the workpiece and the control area 114 as a manual

Work areas 108m trained.

The application areas 140, 144 for applying a layer to the outer surfaces of the workpiece are formed as automated work areas 108a.

By means of the flow guide device 106 of the surface treatment device 100, which is associated with the topcoat system 104 and which is referred to below as 106b, the work areas 108 of the topcoat system 104 in a similar manner, as already described above in connection with the flow guide device 106a of the filler 102, a cascade flow 134th fed.

The flow-guiding device 106b also includes an air supply system 120 with an air supply line 122, a conditioning device 124, flow path branching devices 126, flow path recombining devices 128, an exhaust air line 136 and a heat recovery device 137. The flow guide device 106b of the topcoat system 104 is thus completely separate from the flow guide device 106a of the filler system 102.

Air, which was sucked in by means of the supply air line 122 and conditioned by the conditioning device 124, can be used in a first step to prepare the preparation area 110, the application area 142 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece and the control area 114 be supplied. For this purpose, the flow-guiding device 106b comprises two flow path branching devices 126, by means of which the air flow supplied by the supply air system 120 can be distributed to the said work areas 108.

The preparation region 110, the application region 142 and the control region 114 of the topcoat system 104 are thus arranged parallel to one another in the first embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 1 with respect to a flow direction of the cascade flow 134.

By means of a flow path recombiner 128, after flowing through the preparation area 110 and the control area 114, the partial flows of the cascade stream 134 flowing through these working areas 108 are brought together and supplied to the application area 138 for applying topcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece. The partial flow guided through the application area of clearcoat to the inner sides of the workpiece is cleaned by means of the regenerable filter device 118 and supplied to the application area 144 for applying clearcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece.

The cascade stream 134 passed through the applique area 138 for applying topcoat to the interior surfaces of the workpiece becomes also cleaned by means of a regenerable filter device 118 and then supplied to the Applizierbereich 140 for applying topcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece.

After flowing through the application region 140 and the application region 144, the two partial streams of the cascade stream 134 are brought together by means of a further flow path recombiner 128 and discharged via the exhaust air line 136. The heat contained in the discharged gas flow is transmitted to the energy savings by means of the heat recovery device 137 to the guided in the supply air line 122 supply air.

As with the filler unit 102, the manual working areas 108m and then only the automated working areas 108a are thus also flowed through by the cascade flow 134 in the case of the topcoat system 104. Thus, pollutant loading in the air in the manual workspaces 108m is minimized while avoiding unnecessary additional conditioning of the air for the automated workspaces 108a.

A second embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 2 essentially differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that only one common flow-guiding device 106 is provided for the filler system 102 and the topcoat system 104.

By means of the supply air system 120 of the flow guide device 106 can freshly conditioned air to the preparation area 110 and the

Control area 114 of the filler 102 are supplied.

The air guided through these working areas 108 is then divided by means of a flow path branching device 126 and supplied as cascade flow 134 to the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the topcoat installation 104. Subsequently, the partial air flows are brought together by means of a flow path recombiner 128 and the first

Applizierbereich 112 of the filler 102 supplied for applying filler on the inner surfaces of the workpiece. Without further branching, the following operating areas 108 are then successively flowed through by means of the cascade flow 134: the application area 138 for applying topcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the application area 142 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the application area 113 for applying Filler on the outer surfaces of the workpiece, the Applizierbereich 140 for applying topcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece and finally the Applizierbereich 144 for applying clearcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece. Subsequently, the cascade flow 134 is extracted by means of the heat recovery device 137, the excess heat contained therein. Finally, the cascade flow 134 is removed by means of the exhaust air line 136.

Incidentally, the in Fig. 2 illustrated second embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 in terms of structure and function with the in FIG. 1, so that reference is made to the above description thereof.

One in Fig. The third embodiment of a surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 3 differs from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 essentially in that the single flow guide device 106 is not assigned to the filler system 102 but to the topcoat system 104.

By means of the supply air system 120 of the flow guide device 106 can thus in the third embodiment of the surface treatment apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3, first the preparation area 110 and Control area 114 of the topcoat system 104 fresh conditioned air are supplied.

Subsequently, this air, which has first been split up by means of a flow path branching device 126, is recombined by means of a flow path merging device 128 and fed to the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the filler installation 102 after further division by means of a flow path branching device 126.

After another flow path recombiner 128, the air passed as cascade stream 134 is then sequentially supplied to the following work areas 108: the applier area 142 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the applier area 138 for applying topcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the applier area 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the application area 144 for applying clear coat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, the Applizierbereich 140 for applying topcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece and finally the Applizierbereich 113 for applying filler to the outer surfaces of the workpiece.

By means of the heat recovery device 137, the heat contained in the cascade stream 134 is recovered for further use. Subsequently, the cascade flow 134 is removed by means of the exhaust air line 136.

Incidentally, the third embodiment of the surface treatment apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 is identical in construction and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so that reference is made to the above description thereof. A fourth embodiment of a surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 4 differs from that shown in FIG. 2 essentially in that the flow guide device 106 allows a flow through the working areas 108 in a different order.

Thus, in the case of FIG. 4, the first embodiment of the surface treatment apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 first flows through the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the filler installation 102 after a distribution of the supply air freshly conditioned by means of the supply air installation 120.

After a merger of these partial air flows by means of a flow path recombining device 128 and a redistribution by means of a flow path branching device 126, this air is then supplied to the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the topcoat system 104.

By means of a new flow path recombining device 128, the cascade flow 134, which is now present as a total air flow, is supplied in succession to the following working areas 108:

The application area 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the application area 113 for applying filler to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, the Applizierbereich 138 for applying topcoat on the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the Applizierbereich 140 for applying topcoat on the exterior surfaces of the workpiece, the applier area 142 for applying clearcoat to the interior surfaces of the workpiece, and finally the application area 144 for applying clearcoat to the exterior surfaces of the workpiece. The cascade stream 134 is then discharged via the exhaust air line 136, after the heat contained therein has been recovered by means of the heat recovery device 137.

The fourth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 4 differs from that shown in FIG. 2, in that all application regions 112, 113, 138, 140, 142 and 144 are designed as automated work areas 108a in which no persons are present in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device 100.

The design of the flow guide device 106 according to the fourth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100, the manual work areas 108m (preparation areas 110 and control areas 114) are traversed with air, which is not or only slightly contaminated with pollutants.

Preferably, the amount of fresh air of the amount of exhaust air, which is discharged via the exhaust duct 136. As a result, the amount of energy necessary for heating the supplied supply air can be almost completely recovered by means of the heat recovery device 137, so that no additional energy supply for heating the supply air to be supplied is necessary.

Incidentally, the fourth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is identical in construction and function to the one shown in FIG. 2 illustrated second embodiment, so that reference is made to the above description thereof in this regard.

A fifth embodiment of a surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the third embodiment shown in FIG Embodiment essentially in that the Strömungsführungsvor- device 106 allows a flow through the working areas 108 in a different order.

Furthermore, in the case of FIG. 5 illustrated fifth embodiment, corresponding to that shown in FIG. 4, all application areas 112, 113, 138, 140, 142 and 144 are automated

Work areas 108a formed.

In the in Fig. 5 illustrated fifth embodiment is by means of

Flow guiding device 106, the feed air supplied via the supply air system 120 after a division by means of a Strömungswegverzweigungs- device 126 initially the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the topcoat system 104 fed.

After flowing through these work areas 108, the cascade stream 134 is supplied in parallel to the preparation area 110 and the control area 114 of the filler installation 102.

Subsequently, the partial air streams are brought together by means of a flow path merger 128 and finally passed successively through the following working areas 108: the application area 142 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the application area 144 for applying clearcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, Applier area 138 for applying topcoat on the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the Applizierbereich 140 to

Applying topcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, the applicator region 112 for applying filler to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, and finally the applicator region 113 for applying filler to the outer surfaces of the workpiece.

Subsequently, the cascade stream 134 is discharged after passing through the heat recovery device 137 by means of the exhaust air line 136. Incidentally, the in Fig. The fifth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 5 is identical in construction and function to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, so that reference is made to the above description thereof.

In Fig. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a converted surface treatment device 100, which was first provided with a wet scrubbing as a surface treatment device 100 for cleaning the air guided through the work areas 108. Through the use of regenerable filter devices 118 and cascade flow 134 flow guides 106, the existing surface treatment apparatus 100 has been optimized for more energy efficient operation.

The previously existing surface treatment apparatus 100 with wet leaching comprised three supply air installations 120, which can be used after the conversion for conditioning the supply air and the cascade streams 134.

The in Fig. The sixth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 comprises as working areas 108 an application area 138 for applying base coat to the inner surfaces of a workpiece, two application areas 140 for applying topcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, a control area 114, a a further control region 114, an application region 142 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, two application regions 144 for applying clearcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, and a further control region 114, which in the conveying direction 116, in which a workpiece successively through the Work areas 108 is conveyed, are arranged one after the other.

Applicator area 138 for applying topcoat to the interior surfaces of the workpiece, applier area 142 for applying clearcoat on the inner surfaces of the workpiece as well as all control areas 114 are in the in Fig. 6 illustrated sixth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 as manual work areas 108m.

The application areas 140 for applying topcoat to the exterior surfaces of the workpiece and the application areas 144 for applying clearcoat to the exterior surfaces of the workpiece are formed as automated workspaces 108a.

In the sixth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 illustrated in FIG. 6, a flow-guiding device 106 is provided which uses all the available supply air installations 120.

Thus, by means of a first supply air system 120a of the supply air installations 120 via a supply air supply air 122 with a volume flow of, for example, at least about 20,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 100,000 m ³ / h and about 250,000 m ³ / h, sucked, conditioned and the Applizierbereich 138th for applying topcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece.

From the supplied supply air stream, an air stream with a volume flow of, for example, at least about 4,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 20,000 m ³ / h and 60,000 m ³ / h, can be diverted for use elsewhere. The remaining supply air is supplied directly to the Applizierbereich 138 for applying topcoat on the inner surfaces of the workpiece. After flowing through the applicator region 138 for applying topcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the air stream is cleaned by means of regenerable filter devices 118 and with the guided through the Applizierbereiche 140 for applying topcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece and the application areas 140 downstream control region 114 gas streams after their purification by means of further filter devices 118 merged. This combined partial air flow is discharged to the extent of, for example, at least about 18,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 100,000 m ³ / h and 220,000 m ³ / h, by means of an exhaust duct 136, after the heat contained therein by a heat recovery device 137 was recovered.

The remaining part of the total flow, which was additionally diluted with further supply air, for example with a volume flow of at least about 1,500 m ³ / h, preferably between 7,500 m ³ / h and 20,000 m ³ / h, is fed to a second supply air system 120 b and by means of the same conditioned. The gas flow through the second supply air system 120b has a

Volume flow, for example, at least about 15,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 75,000 m ³ / h and 200,000 m ³ / h, and is the Applizierbereichen 140 for applying topcoat on the outer

Supplied to surfaces of the workpiece.

The gas flow to be supplied to the control region 114, which is arranged downstream of the application areas for applying topcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece, originates from the third existing supply air system 120c and has a volume flow of, for example, at least approximately 3,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 15,000 m ³ / h and 40,000 m ³ / h, up.

The third supply air system 120c serves for the supply and conditioning of supply air with a volume flow of, for example, at least about 10,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 60,000 m ³ / h and 150,000 m ³ / h.

By means of a flow path branching device 126, the supply air supplied by means of the third supply air system 120c can be supplied in parallel to the three control regions 114 of the surface treatment device 100 and the application region 142 applied downstream of the second control region 114 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece. In this case, the second control region 114 is supplied with a volume flow of, for example, at least approximately 1,500 m ³ / h, preferably between 7,500 m ³ / h and 20,000 m ³ / h.

The application area 142 for applying clearcoat to the inner surfaces of the workpiece is supplied with a volume flow of, for example, at least approximately 6,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 30,000 m ³ / h and 75,000 m ³ / h.

The third control region 114 is finally supplied with a gas flow which has a volume flow of, for example, at least approximately

2,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 15,000 m ³ / h and 30,000 m ³ / h.

The gas streams passed through the second control region 114, the clearcoat application region 142 on the inner surfaces of the workpiece, the clearcoat application regions 144 on the outer surfaces of the workpiece, and the third control region 114 become clean after cleaning brought together by means of regenerable filter device 118 and partially supplied by means of a fan 146 to the Applizierbereichen 144 for applying clearcoat on the outer surfaces of the workpiece, for example with a flow rate of at least about 6,000 m ³ / h, preferably between

30,000 m ³ / h and 75,000 m ³ / h.

Another part of said gas stream is fed to a combustion device, for example with a volume flow of at least about 1,500 m ³ / h, preferably with a volume flow of between about 7,500 m ³ / h and 20,000 m ³ / h.

Finally, a last part of said gas stream is discharged via an exhaust air line 136, for example with a volume flow of at least approximately 8,000 m ³ / h, preferably between 40,000 m ³ / h and 95,000 m ³ / h. In particular for diluting the gas stream to be supplied to the application areas of clearcoat to the outer surfaces of the workpiece and / or for diluting the gas stream discharged via the exhaust line 136 or to a furnace, fresh air having a volume flow of, for example, at least approximately 500 m ³ / h, preferably between 2,500 m ³ / h and 7,000 m ³ / h, are supplied.

The aforementioned volume flows preferably result in an overall system, in which, in particular, the ratios of the volume flows of the supply air systems to one another and the ratios of the volume flows in the respective control areas to one another assume a particularly preferred measure. Also, the ratios of supply air volume flows (or their sum) to the exhaust air volume flows can be used as a guide for the realization of similar systems.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas flows conducted through the first supply air system 120a and the second supply air system 120b is preferably between approximately 1: 2 and approximately 4: 1, in particular approximately 4: 3.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas flows conducted through the second supply air system 120b and the third supply air system 120c is preferably between approximately 1: 2 and approximately 4: 1, in particular approximately 4: 3.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas flows through the first supply air system 120a and the third supply air system 120c is preferably between about 2: 3 and about 4: 1, in particular about 3: 2.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas streams supplied to the first control region 114 and the second control region 114 is preferably between about 3: 4 and about 5: 1, in particular about 2: 1. The ratio of the volume flows of the gas streams supplied to the second control region 114 and the third control region 114 is preferably between about 1: 4 and about 4: 3, in particular about 2: 3.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas streams supplied to the first control region 114 and the third control region 114 is preferably between about 1: 2 and about 3: 1, in particular about 1: 1.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas streams supplied by means of the supply air systems 120a, 120c on the one hand and the additionally supplied supply air on the other hand is preferably between approximately 6: 1 and approximately 40: 1, in particular approximately 15: 1.

The ratio of the volume flows of the gas flows supplied by the supply air systems 120a, 120c and the additional fresh air flows on the one hand and the gas flows guided by the second supply air system 120b and the fan 146 in a recirculating air circuit on the other hand is preferably between about 2: 3 and about 4: 1, in particular approximately 3: 2.

Incidentally, the sixth embodiment of the surface treatment device 100 shown in FIG. 6 is identical in construction and function to the one shown in FIG. 1, so that reference is made to the above description thereof.

The fact that in all embodiments of the surface treatment apparatus 100 at least one flow guide device 106 is provided for a cascade flow 134, which at least part of the guided through at least one donating working area 130 gas stream and at least one receiving working area 132 can be fed, the surface treatment apparatus 100 is operated particularly energy efficient become. Furthermore, this is a particularly low environmental impact of pollutants which are removed via the exhaust duct 136, realized.

Claims

claims A surface treatment apparatus (100) for treating a surface of a workpiece, comprising:  at least two work areas (108) in which a surface of the workpiece is treatable;  at least one regenerable filter device (118) for cleaning a gas flow guided through at least one of the at least two working areas (108); and  at least one flow-control device (106) for a cascade flow (134) which comprises at least part of the gas flow guided by at least one dispensing work area (130) of the at least two work areas (108) and at least one receiving work area (132) of the at least two work areas (108 ) can be fed. Surface treatment device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one regenerable filter device (118) in a flow direction of the cascade flow (134) between at least one dispensing work area (130) and at least one receiving working area (132) is arranged. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one dispensing work area (130) and / or at least one receiving work area (132) is an automated work area (108a) in which during a treatment operation of the surface treatment device ( 100) do not stop working people. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface treatment device (100) comprises at least one automated work area (108a) for coating, drying and / or inspecting the workpieces. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one dispensing work area (130) and / or at least one receiving work area (132) is a manual work area (108m) in which a treatment operation of the surface treatment device ( 100) detains at least one working person. A surface treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the surface treatment device (100) comprises at least one manual work area (108m) for coating, drying and / or inspecting the workpieces. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one flow guide device (106) at least one Strömungswegzusammen- device (128) comprises, so that the gas streams from at least two emitting work areas (130) at least one receiving working area (132) can be supplied, and / or that at least one flow guide device (106) at least one flow path branching device (126), so that the gas stream from at least one donating work area (130) at least two receiving work areas (132) can be fed. 8. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that by means of at least one  Flow control device (106) is a gas flow from at least one working area (108) with a in a treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100) first pollutant loading at least one working area (108) with a second operation in the treatment of the surface treatment device (100) pollutant load supplied, the first pollutant load less is considered the second pollutant load. 9. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that by means of at least one  Flow control device (106), a gas flow from at least one working area (108) having a first pollution tolerance limit for a treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100) is deliverable to at least one work area (108) having a second pollution tolerance limit for the treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100), the first pollution tolerance limit is lower than the second pollution tolerance limit. 10. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least three working areas (108) are provided, which can be flowed through by at least one flow guide device (106) successively from at least a portion of the cascade flow (134). 11. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that by means of at least one Flow control device (106) a cascade flow (134) is fed to a plurality of with respect to a flow direction of the cascade flow (134) successively arranged work areas (108), wherein the with respect to the flow direction of the cascade flow (134) successively arranged work areas (108) an alternating series of manual work areas (108m) in which at least one person resides in a treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100) and automated work areas (108a) in which no treatment is performed in the treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100) To stop people form. 12. Surface treatment device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that by means of at least one  Flow control device (106) a cascade flow (134) a plurality of with respect to a flow direction of the cascade flow (134) successively arranged work areas (108) can be fed, wherein the one with respect to the flow direction of the cascade flow (134) successively arranged work areas (108) an alternating series of work areas (108 ) with a first pollutant load and / or a first pollutant tolerance limit for a treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100) and work areas (108) with a second pollutant load or limit for the treatment operation of the surface treatment device (100), wherein the first pollutant load and / or the first pollution tolerance limit is lower than the second pollution load or the second one  Pollutant tolerance. 13. Surface treatment device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface treatment device (100) comprises at least one heat recovery device (137) by means of which heat from a discharged gas stream can be transferred to a gas flow to be supplied to at least one working region (108) , 14. Surface treatment device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface treatment device (100) comprises a conditioning device (124) for conditioning a gas flow to be supplied to the at least one working region (108). A method of operating a surface treatment apparatus (100) comprising at least two work areas (108) for treating a surface of workpieces, wherein a gas stream passed through at least one dispensing work area (130) of the at least two work areas (108) partially supplied as a cascade stream (134) to at least one receiving working area (132) of the at least two working areas (108) and wherein at least a portion of the gas flow passing through at least one of the at least two working areas (108) is cleaned by at least one regenerative filtering device (118) ,