JP2010211623A - Work support system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a work support system for supporting work so that an operator can easily and surely execute respective processes. <P>SOLUTION: In the work support system, weight initialization processing of initializing the weight of a component box is executed (S14). Then, a component corresponding to a process is specified from a manual and an image indicating the component is displayed on a head mount display (S15). Thereafter, the component picked up by the operator is detected (S16), and whether or not the component picked up by the operator is an appropriate component is determined (S17). When it is determined that it is not the appropriate component (S17:NO), an alarm is displayed (S18). Meanwhile, when it is determined that it is the appropriate component (S17:YES), an assembly method corresponding to the appropriate component is displayed (S20). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention comprises a plurality of processes, and an operation performed by an operator in accordance with a predetermined manual including an execution order of the plurality of processes and a part assembling method corresponding to each process, in the process of assembling the parts corresponding to each process. It is related with the work support system which supports.

  Conventionally, there are operations that consist of a plurality of processes, and an operator assembles parts corresponding to each process. Further, among such operations, there is an operation performed in accordance with a predetermined manual including an execution order of a plurality of steps and a part assembling method corresponding to each step. In such work, the worker must perform each process in a predetermined execution order and a predetermined assembly method while referring to the manual during the work. However, they may not be protected due to carelessness of workers. Therefore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, spot light is irradiated to the work object to be currently worked. Thereby, since the worker can easily determine which work object the work should be performed on, it is possible to reduce a mistake in the execution order of the steps.

JP 2006-130639 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, an operator must perform each process while investigating a method for assembling parts to be performed in each process, which places a burden on the operator and an incorrect assembly method. There is a problem that the parts may be assembled.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. In an operation in which an operator assembles parts corresponding to a plurality of processes in which an execution order and an assembly method are determined, the operator can easily and reliably perform each process. An object of the present invention is to provide a work support system that supports work so that it can be implemented.

  In order to achieve the above object, the work support system according to claim 1 includes a plurality of processes, and in an operation of assembling a part corresponding to each process by an operator, the work support system corresponds to the execution order of the plurality of processes and each process. A work support system for supporting work performed in accordance with a predetermined manual including a method for assembling parts, a head-mounted display that is mounted on the worker and displays an image superimposed on a real object, and a manual that stores the manual A storage means; an acquisition part detection means for detecting a part picked up by the operator; a process end determination means for determining whether or not a process currently performed by the worker is completed; and the process end. An end process storage means for storing a series of processes determined to be completed by the determination means, a series of processes stored in the end process storage means, and the macro The manual detects the parts detected by the acquired parts detection means by specifying the next process to be executed with reference to the execution order of the plurality of processes stored in the manual storage means. Suitable part judging means for judging whether or not it is an appropriate part that is a part of a process that matches the execution order of the plurality of processes, and the head mounted display includes the plurality of processes included in the manual. Referring to the execution order and a series of processes stored in the end process storage means, the operator displays the process to be executed next, and the appropriate part determination means determines that it is not the appropriate part In the case where a warning is displayed, the assembly method corresponding to the appropriate part is read out from the manual storage means and displayed when the appropriate part is determined. It is characterized in.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1, the work support system according to claim 2 defines the number of parts (hereinafter referred to as a prescribed number) that need to be assembled in each of the steps. An end determination unit, when the appropriate component determination unit determines that the component is the appropriate component, a number detection unit that detects the number of the appropriate component, and the number of the appropriate component detected by the number detection unit. A number storage means for storing, and determining whether or not the number of the appropriate parts stored in the number storage means has reached the specified number, the worker is currently implementing It is characterized by determining whether or not the process is completed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the process end judging means stores the weight of the assembly when the work is performed for each of the plurality of processes. Assembly weight storage means, and assembly weight detection means for detecting the weight of the actual assembly, the weight of the actual assembly detected by the assembly weight detection means, and the assembly weight storage By determining whether or not the weight of the assembly stored in the means matches, it is determined whether or not the process currently being performed by the operator has been completed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the parts corresponding to the respective steps are respectively put in a parts box, and the acquired part detection is performed. The means includes correspondence storage means for storing a correspondence indicating which part is contained in each part box, part box weight detection means for sequentially detecting the weight of each part box, and the part box weight detection means. A weight change judging means for judging whether or not the weight detected this time has decreased compared to the weight detected last time, referring to the correspondence stored in the correspondence storage means, The part picked up by the operator is detected by identifying the part in the part box in which the weight is judged to have been reduced by the weight change judging means.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the work support system according to claim 5 includes parts corresponding to the respective steps in a parts box, and the acquired part detection The means includes correspondence storage means for storing a correspondence indicating which part is contained in each part box, and light detection means provided in each part box for sequentially detecting the input amount of light, When the light input amount detected this time by the light detection means decreases compared to the previous input amount, the parts stored in the parts box provided with the light detection means are stored in the correspondence storage means. A part picked up by a worker is detected by specifying with reference to the stored correspondence relationship.

  According to the work support system of the first aspect, a head-mounted display that displays an image superimposed on the actual object is attached to the worker. The manual storage means stores a predetermined manual including an execution order of a plurality of steps and a part assembling method corresponding to each step. Further, the acquired part detection means detects a part picked up by the worker. Further, the process end determination means determines whether or not the process currently being performed by the worker has ended. Further, the end process storage means stores a series of processes determined to be completed by the process end determination means. In addition, the appropriate component determination unit specifies the process to be performed next with reference to the series of processes stored in the end process storage unit and the execution order of the plurality of processes stored in the manual storage unit. By doing so, it is determined whether or not the component detected by the acquired component detection means is an appropriate component that is a component in a process that matches the execution order of a plurality of processes included in the manual. Then, referring to the execution order of a plurality of processes included in the manual and a series of processes stored in the end process storage means, the head mounted display displays the process to be performed next by the operator. Further, the head-mounted display displays a warning when the appropriate component determining means determines that it is not the appropriate component, while if it is determined that it is an appropriate component, an assembly method corresponding to the appropriate component is manually displayed. Read from the storage means and display.

  Therefore, since the process to be performed next is displayed on the head mounted display, the worker can easily determine which process should be performed next. Even if the operator attempts to assemble a component that is not an appropriate component, a warning is displayed on the head mounted display, so that the steps can be prevented from being performed in the wrong order. On the other hand, when an operator tries to assemble an appropriate part, the assembly method of the appropriate part is displayed on the head mounted display, so that the operator can assemble the appropriate part appropriately. Furthermore, since the manual is displayed on the head-mounted display that displays an image superimposed on the real object, the operator can also visually recognize the manual while visually recognizing the work object, so that the worker can easily perform the work. That is, the operator can carry out each process easily and reliably.

  According to the work support system of the second aspect, the number of parts (specified number) that needs to be assembled is specified in each process. The number detecting means detects the number of the appropriate parts when the appropriate parts determining means determines that the appropriate parts are appropriate. The process end judging means judges whether or not the process currently performed by the worker is finished by judging whether or not the number of appropriate parts detected by the number detecting means has reached a specified number. is doing. Thereby, even if the process currently performed by the worker is a process of assembling a plurality of specified number of parts, it can be determined whether or not the process has been completed.

  According to the work support system of the third aspect, the assembly weight storage means stores the weight of the assembly when the operation is performed for each process. The assembly weight detection means detects the actual weight of the assembly. Then, the process end judging means judges whether or not the actual assembly weight detected by the assembly weight detecting means matches the weight of the assembly stored in the assembly weight storage means. , It is determined whether the process currently performed by the worker is completed. Thus, by judging by weight, it can be judged whether the process currently performed by the operator is completed with a simple configuration.

  In addition, according to the work support system of the fourth aspect, the parts corresponding to each process are put in the parts box. And the weight of the parts box in which the parts picked up by the operator are put is reduced. On the other hand, the weight of the other parts box does not decrease. Therefore, a correspondence relationship indicating which component is contained in each component box is stored in the correspondence relationship storage means. The component box weight detecting means sequentially detects the weight of each component box. Further, the weight change determining means determines whether or not the weight detected this time by the parts box weight detecting means is smaller than the weight detected last time. Then, the acquired part detection means refers to the correspondence stored in the correspondence storage means, and identifies the part in the parts box determined to have decreased in weight by the weight change determination means, A part picked up by the operator is detected. Thus, based on the weight of the parts box, the parts picked up by the operator can be reliably detected with a simple configuration.

  In addition, according to the work support system of the fifth aspect, the parts corresponding to each process are put in the parts box. The correspondence relationship storage means stores a correspondence relationship indicating which component is contained in each component box. Each component box is provided with light detection means for sequentially detecting the input amount of light. Here, when the operator puts his / her hand into the component box to pick up the component, the input amount of light detected by the light detection means provided in the component box is considered to be reduced by being blocked by the hand. Therefore, the acquisition component detection means, when the light input amount detected this time by the light detection means is reduced compared to the previous input amount, the components in the component box provided with the light detection means, The parts picked up by the operator are detected by referring to the correspondence relation stored in the correspondence relation storage means. In this way, by detecting whether or not the worker has put a hand in the parts box to pick up the part by the amount of light input, the part that the worker has picked up can be surely secured with a simple configuration. It can be detected.

It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure and use scene of the work assistance system. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control unit 110. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of the storage device 300. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of a table 3010 showing a manual 91 of the assembly base 51 stored in the manual storage area 301 of the storage device 300. It is a table 3020 showing information on the components 21 to 28 stored in the component information storage area 302 of the storage device 300. It is the flowchart which showed the main routine of work assistance processing. It is the flowchart which showed the detail of the weight initialization process. It is the flowchart which showed the detail of the acquisition components detection process. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a work support system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration and usage scene of a work support system 500 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the work support system 500 includes a head mounted display 100 and a storage device 300 connected to the head mounted display 100 via a network 400. As an example, this work support system 500 is a system that supports the work of assembling the parts 21 to 28 in accordance with a predetermined manual 91... On any of the plurality of assembly bases 51, 52. is there. Specifically, the operator P who performs the assembly work attaches the head-mounted display 100 and manually describes how to assemble the parts 21 (part name A) to the part 28 (part name H) on the head-mounted display 100. It is displayed as 91. In the present embodiment, there are eight types of parts 21 to 28 as parts to be assembled. Details of the work support system 500 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the head mounted display 100 includes a glasses-type frame unit 101, a control unit 110, and an optical scanning unit 130. The frame unit 101 has a glasses-like shape that is attached to the eyes of the worker P, and a half mirror that transmits light from one side and reflects light from the other is provided in front of a portion corresponding to the lens. ing. The control unit 110 is provided around the waist of the worker P and executes various arithmetic processes. The optical scanning unit 130 is fixed to the frame unit 101 and displays an image by two-dimensionally scanning the image light generated based on the image signal supplied from the control unit 110, thereby generating an image signal. The operator P is made to visually recognize the corresponding image through the half mirror. That is, the head mounted display 100 displays an image superimposed on the actual object.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the control unit 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a program ROM 112, a flash ROM 113, a RAM 114, an optical scanning unit interface 115, a VRAM 116, an external device interface 118, a peripheral device interface 119, a power switch 120, a power lamp 121, and an operation switch group. 122 is provided.

  The CPU 111 executes various arithmetic processes according to programs stored in the program ROM 112. Specifically, when the worker P performs the work of assembling the parts 21 to 28, a work support process for supporting the work is executed. Details will be described later with reference to a flowchart. The flash ROM 113 is a so-called flash memory, and is used for storing various information. The RAM 114 temporarily stores various types of information, and is provided with a storage area for a variable n that is used when the work support process is executed.

  The optical scanning unit interface 115 is an interface for connecting to the optical scanning unit 130. The VRAM 116 temporarily stores an image to be transmitted to the optical scanning unit 130. The external device interface 118 is an interface for connecting to various external devices. In the present embodiment, the storage device 300 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the external device interface 118. The peripheral device interface 119 is an interface for connecting with various peripheral devices. In this embodiment, a power switch 120, a power lamp 121, an operation switch group 122, component weight sensors 11 to 18, base weight sensors 61, 62,.

  The power switch 120 is a switch for switching on and off a power source that supplies driving power to the CPU 111 and the like. The power lamp 121 is lit when the power switch 120 is turned on, and is turned off when the power switch 120 is turned off. The operator P can grasp whether or not the power is turned on by the power lamp 121. The operation switch group 122 is a switch for the operator P to give various operation instructions.

  On the other hand, the components 21 to 28 shown in FIG. 1 are put in the component boxes 1 to 8, respectively. Specifically, the component 21 is the component box 1, the component 22 is the component box 2, the component 23 is the component box 3, the component 24 is the component box 4, the component 25 is the component box 5, and the component 26 is the component box. 6, the component 27 is stored in the component box 7, and the component 28 is stored in the component box 8. The component boxes 1 to 8 are placed on the component weight sensors 11 to 18 for detecting the weight placed on the component boxes 1 to 8, respectively. Specifically, the parts box 1 is placed on the parts weight sensor 11, the parts box 2 is placed on the parts weight sensor 12, the parts box 3 is placed on the parts weight sensor 13, and the parts box is placed on the parts weight sensor 14. 4, the component box 5 on the component weight sensor 15, the component box 6 on the component weight sensor 16, the component box 7 on the component weight sensor 17, and the component box 8 on the component weight sensor 18. It is listed. The component weight sensors 11 to 18 are configured by known weight sensor elements that output a voltage or the like according to a load, for example.

  The component weight sensors 11 to 18 sequentially detect the weights of the component boxes 1 to 8 in which the components 21 to 28 are put based on the voltage value output from the weight sensor element, and indicate the weights. The signal is wirelessly input to the peripheral device interface 119 in accordance with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the CPU 111 can grasp the weight of the component boxes 1 to 8 in which the components 21 to 28 are put. The parts boxes 1 to 8 are assigned ID numbers, respectively. Specifically, the part box 1 has an ID of “1”, the part box 2 has an ID of “2”, the part box 3 has an ID of “3”, the part box 4 has an ID of “4”, and the part The box 5 has an ID of “5”, the parts box 6 has an ID of “6”, the parts box 7 has an ID of “7”, and the parts box 8 has an ID of “8”. The component weight sensors 11 to 18 also wirelessly input the IDs of the component boxes 1 to 8 placed on the peripheral device interface 119.

  The base weight sensor 61 is a sensor that detects the weight of the assembly base 51, and similarly to the component weight sensors 11 to 18, inputs a signal indicating the weight to the peripheral device interface 119 wirelessly. Similarly, the base weight sensor 62 sequentially detects the weight of the assembly base 52 and inputs a signal indicating the weight to the peripheral device interface 119. The weights of the assembly foundations other than the assembly foundations 51 and 52 are detected by the foundation weight sensor.

  The work weight sensor 81 sequentially detects the total weight of the assembly base 51 and the parts 21 to 28 assembled thereto (hereinafter also referred to as “assembly weight”) that the worker P is currently working on. A signal indicating the weight of the assembly is input to the peripheral device interface 119.

  In addition, for example, a hard disk drive is used in the storage device 300 illustrated in FIG. 1, and an image to be displayed on the head mounted display 100 is stored. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of the storage device 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 300 according to the present embodiment is provided with a manual storage area 301 for storing the manual and a parts information storage area 302 for storing information on the parts 21 to 28. In the manual storage area 301, manuals 91 for each of the assembly bases 51, 52,. The operations shown in these manuals 91... Have a plurality of large steps consisting of a plurality of steps. The order in which each step is performed is determined. The worker P performs an operation of assembling one or a plurality of components 21 to 28 on the assembly bases 51 and 52 in each process. In addition, the execution order is not defined between large processes, and the worker P may perform from any large process.

  Hereinafter, as an example of the manual, a manual 91 (see FIG. 1) of the assembly base 51 will be described as an example. FIG. 4 is a table 3010 showing the contents of the manual 91 stored in the manual storage area 301 (see FIG. 3) of the storage device 300. As shown in FIG. 4, the table 3010 includes a large process section field 3011, a large process order field 3012, a part name field 3013, a specified number field 3014, an assembly method field 3015, an acquired number storage field 3016, and a process end flag storage. It consists of a column 3017. The large process division column 3011 is divided into three large processes 1, 2, 3 as an example. The order column 3012 in the large process stores the execution order of the operations in the large processes 1, 2, and 3 (the order in the large process).

  Further, the names of the components 21 to 28 are stored in the component name column 3013. In this embodiment, the name of the part 21 is “A”, the name of the part 22 is “B”, the name of the part 23 is “C”, the name of the part 24 is “D”, and the name of the part 25 is “E”. The name of the component 26 is “F”, the name of the component 27 is “G”, and the name of the component 28 is “H”. The prescribed number column 3014 stores a prescribed number that is the number of parts 21 to 28 that need to be assembled in each process. Also, the assembly method column 3015 is an image X1. gif to Z3. gif is stored. Each of these images X1. gif to Z3. The gif is displayed on the head mounted display 100 as the manual 91. The acquired number storage column 3016 stores the total number M that the worker P actually picks up the components 21 to 28 when the worker P is working. The total number M is set to zero at the start of the work support process. The process end flag storage column 3017 stores a process end flag (flag) indicating that each process has ended. At the start of the work support process, the process end flag is set to OFF (flag = 0).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the large process division column 3011 is divided into three large processes 1, 2, and 3. The large process 1 is composed of four processes (1 to 4). The first process is a process of assembling one part 21 (part name A) on the assembly base 51, and the second process is four parts 22 (parts). Name B) is a process of assembling the assembly base 51, the third process is a process of assembling one part 23 (part name C) to the assembly base 51, and the fourth process is one part 24 (part name D). Is assembled on the assembly base 51. The large process 2 includes four processes (1 to 4). The first process is a process of assembling three parts 25 (part names E) on the assembly base 51, and the second process is a single part 26 ( The part name F) is a process of assembling the assembly base 51, the third process is a process of assembling one part 23 (part name C) to the assembly base 51, and the fourth process is one part 27 (part name). G) is a process of assembling the assembly base 51. The large process 3 includes three processes (1 to 3). The first process is a process of assembling one part 28 (part name H) on the assembly base 51, and the second process is a single part 26 ( The part name F) is a process of assembling the assembly base 51, and the third process is a process of assembling the two parts 22 (part name B) to the assembly base 51. The manuals 92 other than the manual 91 are configured in the same manner as the manual 91.

  Information regarding each of the components 21 to 28 is stored in the component information storage area 302 of the storage device 300 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 is a table 3020 showing information on the components 21 to 28. This table 3020 is stored in the component information storage area 302 of the storage device 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the table 3020 includes a component classification column 3021, a component name column 3022, a component box ID column 3023, a total weight column 3024, and a component weight column 3025 per piece. The component classification column 3021 stores information indicating the classification of the components 21 to 28. In the component name column 3022, the names of the components 21 to 28 are stored. The component box ID column 3023 stores the ID numbers of the component boxes 1 to 8 in which the corresponding components 21 to 28 are put. As shown in FIG. 5, the component 21 is in the component box 1, the component 22 is in the component box 2, the component 23 is in the component box 3, the component 24 is in the component box 4, the component 25 is in the component box 5, and the component 26 is It can be seen that the parts box 6, the parts 27 are placed in the parts box 7, and the parts 28 are placed in the parts box 8. Moreover, in order to make the worker P easily grasp which component box 1-8 each component 21-28 is contained in, each component box 1-8 includes the name A of the component 21-28 contained therein. ~ H is marked on the surface.

  On the other hand, the total weight column 3024 stores the total weights WT1 to WT8 of the components 21 to 28 contained in the component boxes 1 to 8 based on signals from the component weight sensors 11 to 18. That is, the total weight WT1 of the part 21, the total weight WT2 of the part 22, the total weight WT3 of the part 23, the total weight WT4 of the part 24, the total weight WT5 of the part 25, the total weight WT6 of the part 26, and the total weight WT7 of the part 27 The total weight WT8 of the part 28 is stored. Further, the weight WΦ1 to WΦ8 per one of the components 21 to 28 is stored in the per component weight column 3025. That is, the weight WΦ1 of the component 21, the weight WΦ2 of the component 22, the weight WΦ3 of the component 23, the weight WΦ4 of the component 24, the weight WΦ5 of the component 25, the weight WΦ6 of the component 26, the weight WΦ7 of the component 27, and the weight WΦ8 of the component 28. It is remembered.

  Next, work support processing for supporting work performed by the CPU 111 of the control unit 110 of the head mounted display 100 when the worker P performs work for assembling the components 21 to 28 will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main routine of work support processing executed by the CPU 111 of the control unit 110 of the head mounted display 100. This work support process is started when the operator P operates a switch instructing the start of the work support process in the operation switch group 122. Hereinafter, “display” means that the optical scanning unit 130 projects an image on the retina of the worker P and causes the worker P to visually recognize the image.

  First, an image instructing to select one of the assembly bases 51, 52... Is displayed on the head mounted display 100, and the assembly bases 51, 52. One is selected (S11). At this time, it is assumed that the worker P has selected the assembly base 51. Next, the manual 91 for the assembly base 51 among the plurality of manuals 91... Is read from the manual storage area 301 of the storage device 300 and stored in the RAM 114 (S12). Next, an image instructing to select one of the large steps 1, 2, and 3 is displayed on the head mounted display 100, and the operator P is used to display the large steps 1, 2, and 3 using the operation switch group 122. Either one is selected (S13). Here, M = 0 is set (S13). If there is an order in the large steps 1, 2, 3 as well, an image to that effect is provided. Next, a weight initialization process for initializing the weights of the component boxes 1 to 8 including the components 21 to 28 is executed (S14). FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a subroutine showing details of the weight initialization process. Details of the weight initialization process will be described below.

  First, 1 is substituted into a variable n stored in the RAM 114 (S131). Next, among the signals sequentially input from the component weight sensors 11 to 18, signals corresponding to the component boxes 1 to 8 having the ID of the variable n are acquired (S132). In this case, the weight of the component box 1 including the component 21 is acquired (S132). Then, the total weight WT1 of the component 21 obtained by subtracting the predetermined weight of the component box 1 from the weight is stored in the total weight column 3024 of the table 3020 stored in the storage device 300 (S133). Next, 1 is added to the variable n (S134). That is, the variable n becomes “2” (S134). Next, it is determined whether or not the variable n is larger than “8” which is the total number of types of the parts 21 to 28 (S135). In this case, if determined to be small (S135: NO), the process returns to S132, and the total weight WT2 of the parts 22 contained in the parts box 2 is stored in the total weight column 3024 (S132, S133). Next, 1 is added to the variable n (S134). When all the total weights WT1 to WT8 are stored in the total weight column 3024, the variable n becomes 9 and is larger than 8 (S135: YES), so the processing of the flowchart in FIG.

  The description returns to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. With the components 21 to 28 as appropriate components, an image showing the appropriate components is displayed (S15). Further, referring to the manual 91, the number (specified number) required to assemble appropriate parts is also displayed (S15). For example, when the large process 2 is selected, in the first process of the large process 2, an image indicating that three parts 25 (see FIG. 4) are required is displayed. Thereby, the worker P can easily grasp how many parts 21 to 28 are necessary in the current process. Since the image showing the appropriate component is displayed on the head mounted display 100, the worker P can easily pick up the appropriate component from the component boxes 1-8.

  Subsequently, an acquired component detection process is executed to detect how many components 21 to 28 are actually picked up by the worker P (S16). FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the acquired component detection process. Hereinafter, the details of the acquired component detection processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, 1 is substituted into a variable n stored in the RAM 114 (S161). Next, among the signals sequentially input from the component weight sensors 11 to 18, signals corresponding to the component boxes 1 to 8 having the ID of the variable n are acquired (S162). In this case, the weight of the component box 1 including the component 21 is acquired (S162). Then, a current total weight W1 of the component 21 obtained by subtracting a predetermined weight of the component box 1 from the weight is calculated (S162). Next, the number m of parts 21 taken from the parts box 1 is detected by Equation 1 (S163). In Equation 1, n is a variable n. WΦn is the weight of one of the parts A to H contained in the part boxes 1 to 8 having the ID of the variable n. Wn is the total weight of the current part of the part box with ID of variable n (hereinafter referred to as “current total weight”), and WTn is a measurement of the current total weight of the part of the part box with ID of variable n. Is the total weight of the parts at the time of measurement before (1).

  m = (WTn−Wn) / WΦn (Equation 1)

  In this case, m is detected by (WT1-W1) / WΦ1. For example, if the worker P takes two parts 21 from the parts box 1, the current total weight W1 calculated in S162 is the weight of the two parts 21 with respect to the previous total weight WT1 (2 × WΦ1). Only a small value. That is, W1 = WT1-2 × WΦ1. Substituting this equation into Equation 1 results in m = 2. That is, the number m can be detected.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of m detected in S163 is zero, that is, whether or not the component 21 has been removed (S164). If m = 0 is not satisfied (S164: NO), the value of the variable n and the number m is output (S165). When m = 0 (S164: YES) or after the process of S165, the value of the variable n is incremented by 1 (S166). That is, the variable n is “2”. Next, it is determined whether or not the variable n is larger than “8” which is the total number of types of the parts 21 to 28 (S167). In this case, it is determined to be small (S167: NO). Thereafter, the process returns to S162, and whether or not the part 22 in the parts box 2 with ID “2” has been taken is detected, and if so, the number m is detected (S162 to S165). And when the process of S162-S165 is performed with respect to all the components 21-28, since the variable n becomes 9 and becomes larger than 8 (S167: YES), the process of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is complete | finished. . In this way, the variable n and the number m are output. For example, if one component 25 in the component box 5 with ID “5” is taken, the variable n is output as “5” and the number m is “1” (S165), and the other variable n is output. On the other hand, the number m is not output (S164: YES).

  Returning to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 6, referring to the table 3020 (see FIG. 5) stored in the component information storage area 302 of the storage device 300, it corresponds to the value of the variable n output in S <b> 16. IDs of the component boxes 1 to 8 are specified (S17). Then, it is determined whether or not the components 21 to 28 contained in the component boxes 1 to 8 corresponding to the ID match the components 21 to 28 instructed in S15 (S17). If they do not match (S17: NO), a warning is displayed that the part picked up by the worker P is not an appropriate part (S18). Thereby, the operator P can grasp | ascertain easily having picked up the wrong components 21-28. Then, an image showing appropriate components is displayed again (S15), and it is detected which components 21 to 28 were actually taken (S16). If m is negative, the component has only been returned and not acquired, so the determination in S17 is NO, a warning that the component has been returned is displayed (S18), and the processing in S15 and S16 is performed.

  On the other hand, in S17, when the parts 21 to 28 picked up by the worker P are appropriate parts (S17: YES), the total number M stored in the acquired number storage column 3016 of the manual 91 shown in FIG. Of these, the value of the number m output in S16 is added to the total number M corresponding to the appropriate parts (S19). For example, assuming that the current process is the first process of the large process 2, and the number m output in S16 is “1”, the value of M is (M + m) = 1. Next, images X1... Showing the assembly methods stored in the assembly method column 3015 of the manual 91. gif to Z3. image X1.gif showing an assembly method corresponding to the current process in gif. gif to Z3. The gif is displayed (S20). Thereby, the operator P can grasp | ascertain easily the assembly method of the components 21-28. An image X1. gif to Z3. Since gif is displayed on the head mounted display 100, the worker P can easily see the assembly base 51 and / or the parts 21 to 28 and can also visually recognize the image showing the assembly method, so that the worker P can easily work. . That is, the worker P can carry out each process easily and reliably.

  Next, whether or not the current process is completed by determining whether or not the total number M stored in the acquired number storage column 3016 of the manual 91 has reached the specified number stored in the specified number column 3014. It is determined whether or not (S21). That is, when the total number M has reached the specified number, it is determined that the current process is completed, while when the total number M has not yet reached the specified number, it is determined that the current process has not been completed yet (S21). ). If the current process has not been completed yet (S21: NO), the weight initialization process is executed again (S14), and an image showing appropriate parts is displayed (S15). And the process of S14-S21 mentioned above is performed.

  On the other hand, when the current process ends (S21: YES), a process end flag is set in the area corresponding to the current process in the process end flag storage field 3017 of the manual 91 (flag = 1). Here, M = 0 is reset (S22). Next, referring to the process end flag stored in the process end flag storage column 3017 and the execution order stored in the sequence column 3012 in the large process, it is determined whether there is a process to be performed next. By determining, it is determined whether or not the large steps 1, 2, and 3 currently being executed are completed (S23). For example, if the current process is the large process 2 and the process end flag is set for the second process, the next is the third process, that is, the process of assembling one component 23. It is determined that the large process 2 has not been completed yet (see FIG. 4). If the large steps 1, 2, and 3 that are currently being executed have not yet been completed (S23: NO), the processes of S14 to S23 described above are executed again.

  At this time, in S15, an image showing an appropriate part corresponding to the next process specified in S23 is displayed (S15). If this appropriate part is not removed (S17: NO), a warning is displayed (S18). If an appropriate part is taken (S17: YES), the total number M corresponding to the appropriate part out of the total number M stored in the acquired number storage column 3016 of the manual 91 shown in FIG. The value of the number m output in step S19 is added (S19). Through such processing, a process end flag is set for each of the large processes 1, 2, and 3 currently being carried out (S22).

  Then, when the process end flag is set for all of the large processes 1, 2, and 3 that are currently performed, that is, when the large processes 1, 2, and 3 that are currently performed are completed. (S23: YES), it is determined whether or not all of the large steps 1, 2, and 3 have been completed by referring to whether or not the process end flag is set for each step (S24). If it has not been completed yet (S24: NO), the process returns to S13 to display an image instructing to select one of the large steps 1, 2, and 3 that has not yet been performed. Then, one of the large steps 1, 2, and 3 is selected using the operation switch group 122 (S13). Then, the process of S14-S24 mentioned above is performed.

  When all of the large steps 1, 2, and 3 are completed (S24: YES), a base flag indicating that the work on the assembly base 51 is ended is set (S25). Next, with reference to the foundation flag set in S25, it is determined whether all the operations for the other assembly foundations 52, 53,... Have been completed (S26). If not completed (S26: NO), the process returns to S11 to display an image instructing to select one of the remaining assembly bases 52, 53... A group 122 is used to select one of the assembly bases 52, 53... (S11). And the process of S12-S26 mentioned above is performed with respect to the selected assembly foundations 52, 53 .... For example, when the assembly base 52 is selected in S11, the manual 92 of the assembly base 52 is read from the storage device 300 (S12), and the processes of S13 to S26 are executed according to the manual 92. When the work on all of the assembly bases 51, 52, 53... Is finished (S26: YES), the main routine of the work support process is finished.

  As described above, according to the work support system 500 of the present embodiment, the next process to be performed is displayed on the head mounted display 100, so the worker P can easily determine which process should be performed next. Even if the worker P attempts to assemble a component that is not an appropriate component, a warning is displayed on the head mounted display 100, so that the steps can be prevented from being performed in the wrong order. On the other hand, when the worker P tries to assemble an appropriate component, the assembly method of the appropriate component is displayed on the head mounted display 100, so that the worker P can assemble the appropriate component appropriately. Furthermore, since the assembly method is displayed on the head mounted display 100 that displays an image superimposed on the actual object, the operator P can visually confirm the assembly bases 51, 52,. Therefore, the worker P can easily perform the work. That is, the worker P can carry out each process easily and reliably.

  Further, according to the work support system 500 of the present embodiment, the number of parts (specified number) that need to be assembled is specified for each process. And the number m from which the appropriate part was taken is detected. By determining whether or not the number m has reached the specified number, it is determined whether or not the process currently performed by the worker P has been completed. Thereby, even if the process currently performed by the worker P is a process of assembling a plurality of specified parts, it can be determined whether or not the process has been completed.

Further, according to the work support system 500 of the present embodiment, the parts 21 to 28 corresponding to the respective processes are put in the parts boxes 1 to 8, respectively. And the weight of the component boxes 1-8 in which the components 21-28 picked up by the worker P are put is reduced. On the other hand, the weight of the other component boxes 1 to 8 does not decrease. Therefore, the table 3020 shown in FIG. 5 stores correspondences indicating which components 21 to 28 are contained in the component boxes 1 to 8. Moreover, the component weight sensors 11-18 detect the weight of each component box 1-8 sequentially. Further, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the weight detected by the component weight sensors 11 to 18 this time has decreased compared to the weight detected last time (S16). Then, the CPU 111 refers to the correspondence stored in the table 3020 and identifies the components 21 to 28 contained in the component boxes 1 to 8 whose weights are determined to be reduced by the component weight sensors 11 to 18. Thus, the components 21 to 28 picked up by the worker P are detected (S16). Thus, based on the weight of the component boxes 1 to 8, the components 21 to 28 picked up by the operator P can be reliably detected with a simple configuration.
(Modification 1)

In the embodiment described above, whether or not the process currently performed by the worker P is completed is determined based on whether or not the number m of appropriate parts has reached the specified number. However, the method for determining whether or not the process currently performed by the worker P is completed is not limited to this. For example, the storage device 300 (assembly weight storage means) stores in advance the weights of the assembly bases 51, 52,... Further, the actual weights of the assembly bases 51, 52... Currently working are sequentially detected by the work weight sensor 81 (assembly weight detection means). And whether the weight of the actual assembly bases 51, 52... Detected by the work weight sensor 81 matches the weight of the assembly bases 51, 52. It is determined whether the process currently performed by the worker P is completed.
(Modification 2)

  In the said embodiment, the components 21-28 which the operator P picked up were detected based on the weight of the component boxes 1-8. However, the method of detecting the parts 21 to 28 picked up by the worker P is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a laser output device 71 as a light output means for always outputting a laser is provided in each component box 1 to 8, and light detection is performed for receiving a laser at a position facing the laser output device 71. As a means, a laser receiver 72 is provided in each component box 1-8. When the laser output device 71 and the laser receiver 72 are provided in this way, a laser is always input to the laser receiver 72 as long as there is nothing to block between the laser output device 71 and the laser receiver 72. And the laser input to the laser receivers 72 of the component boxes 1 to 8 where the worker P has put his hand is reduced. By identifying the component boxes 1 to 8 provided with the laser receiver 72, it is possible to detect which component 21 to 28 the operator P has picked up. In this case, the laser output device 71 and the laser receiver 72 shown in FIG. 9 correspond to the “light detection means” of the present invention.

500 Work Support System 1-8 Parts Box 11-18 Parts Weight Sensor (Parts Box Weight Detection Means)
21-28 Parts 91, 92 Manual 51, 52 Assembly base 61, 62 Base weight sensor 71 Laser output device 72 Laser receiver (light detection means)
81 Workpiece weight sensor (assembly weight detection means)
100 Head Mounted Display 101 Frame Unit 110 Control Unit 111 CPU
130 optical scanning unit 300 storage device (assembly weight storage means)
301 Manual storage area (manual storage means)
302 Parts information storage area 3010 Table 3011 Large process section field 3012 Order field during large process 3013 Parts name field 3014 Specified number field 3015 Assembly method field 3016 Acquisition number storage field (number storage means)
3017 Process end flag storage field (end process storage means)
3021 Parts classification field 3022 Parts name field (correspondence storage means)
3023 Parts box ID column (correspondence storage means)
3024 Total weight column 3025 Parts weight column per piece S16 Acquisition component detection means, number detection means, weight change determination means S21 Process end determination means S17 Appropriate parts determination means

Claims (5)

A work that consists of a plurality of processes and that assists a work performed in accordance with a predetermined manual including an execution order of the plurality of processes and a part assembling method corresponding to each process in the work of assembling a part corresponding to each process. A support system,
A head-mounted display that is mounted on the operator and displays an image superimposed on the actual object;
Manual storage means for storing the manual;
An acquisition component detection means for detecting a component picked up by the worker;
A process end judging means for judging whether or not the process currently being carried out by the worker is completed;
An end process storage means for storing a series of processes determined to be completed by the process end determination means;
By specifying a process to be performed next with reference to a series of processes stored in the end process storage means and an execution order of the plurality of processes stored in the manual storage means, The component detected by the acquired component detection unit includes an appropriate component determination unit that determines whether or not the component included in the manual is an appropriate component in a process that matches the execution order of the plurality of processes.
The head mounted display displays a process to be performed next by an operator with reference to an execution order of the plurality of processes included in the manual and a series of processes stored in the end process storage means. And when the appropriate part determination means determines that it is not the appropriate part, it displays a warning, whereas when it determines that the appropriate part is the appropriate part, the assembly method corresponding to the appropriate part, A work support system which is read from a manual storage means and displayed. In each of the steps, the number of parts that need to be assembled (hereinafter referred to as a specified number) is specified,
The process end judging means is
A number detecting means for detecting the number of the appropriate parts when the appropriate parts are determined by the appropriate parts determining means;
A number storage means for storing the number of the appropriate parts detected by the number detection means,
By determining whether or not the number of the appropriate parts stored in the number storage means has reached the specified number, it is determined whether or not the process currently being performed by the operator has been completed. The work support system according to claim 1. The process end judging means is
Assembly weight storage means for storing the weight of the assembly when work is performed for each of the plurality of steps;
Assembly weight detection means for detecting the weight of the actual assembly,
By determining whether or not the weight of the actual assembly detected by the assembly weight detection means matches the weight of the assembly stored in the assembly weight storage means, 2. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the process currently being executed is completed. The parts corresponding to each of the above steps are put in a parts box,
The acquisition component detection means includes
Correspondence storage means for storing a correspondence indicating which part is contained in each part box;
Parts box weight detection means for sequentially detecting the weight of each of the parts boxes;
A weight change judging means for judging whether or not the weight detected by the parts box weight detecting means this time has decreased compared to the weight detected last time;
By referring to the correspondence relationship stored in the correspondence relationship storage means, by specifying the part in the parts box in which the weight has been determined to be reduced by the weight change determination means, the operator can The work support system according to claim 1, wherein a picked-up component is detected. The parts corresponding to each of the above steps are put in a parts box,
The acquisition component detection means includes
Correspondence storage means for storing a correspondence indicating which part is contained in each part box;
Provided in each of the component boxes, and has a light detection means for sequentially detecting the input amount of light,
When the light input amount detected this time by the light detection means decreases compared to the previous input amount, the parts stored in the parts box provided with the light detection means are stored in the correspondence storage means. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein a part picked up by a worker is detected by referring to the stored correspondence relationship.

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