JPH08168941A - Work supplying system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To smooth the transmission of information for work supply by reducing mistakes through a process of improving picking work efficiency, and by effectively using a work managing computer. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of parts are assorted by the kind and stored into a plurality of part storing racks 15 in part storing units 11 of a part warehouse, display lamps 17 and bar codes 18 are provided on respective part storing racks 15, and lamp controllers 30 are also provided. A plurality of part housing parts 4 are provided on a pallet truck 5 of a part conveying truck 3, display lamps 9 are provided on respective part housing parts 4, and a lamp controller 26 is also provided. A picking conveying rack terminal instrument 24 receives information from a part managing computer and outputs it to the controllers 26, 30, and since the display lamps 9, 17 are turned on by kind of parts, picking can be efficiently performed according to the display of the display lamps 9, 17. In a part supplying vehicle 14, a handy terminal instrument 32 for supplying parts, capable of radioing the part managing computer is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work supply system, and more particularly to a work supply system for supplying various works from a work storage to a plurality of production stations on a production line based on production information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vehicle assembly line, a plurality of production stations are arranged in a line on a vehicle assembly line for assembling various outfittings to an automobile body, and one or a plurality of production stations corresponding to vehicle types are used in each production facility. By assembling the workpieces (parts) in a predetermined takt process (takt time), a plurality of types of vehicles are assembled by the mixed flow production method. The works to be supplied to the plurality of production stations of the vehicle assembly line are classified and stored in a plurality of storage shelves in the work storage. Further, a plurality of unmanned transport vehicles for transporting the work from the work storage to the plurality of production stations of the vehicle assembly line are provided.

As the unmanned guided vehicle, there are a type in which an unmanned guided vehicle of a type in which a work is loaded on a loading platform and transported and a pallet truck having a plurality of work storage units are towed by a transport drive vehicle. Automated guided vehicles apply. In the latter towed automated guided vehicle, multiple sets of work for multiple tact steps that continue in time series in each production facility are
The pallet trolley is conveyed to a position near the production facility in a state where the pallet trolley is stored in a plurality of work storage portions, the pallet trolley is left at the station, and the conveyance drive vehicle conveys an empty pallet trolley to the work storage.

On the other hand, a host computer for supplying production information for production management in an automobile manufacturing factory, a communication line network connected to the host computer, and a work connected to the communication line network for performing work supply management in a work storage. There is also provided a production management system including a management computer and a production management computer that is connected to a communication network to perform production management on a production line. Regarding a work supply system for supplying a work to a production station, conventionally, in a work hangar, based on a slip printed out by a work management computer,
A picker picks up various necessary works from a storage shelf and stores them in a plurality of work storage units. Further, the work to be replenished in the hangar is managed based on the slip printed out by the work management computer.

On the other hand, in the picking instruction system of the physical distribution system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-249802, picking information is created in the picking order for each customer by the host computer, the information is read into the IC card, and the IC card is read. Let the card reader of the picking cart read it, and output the bin number, frame number, quantity, and customer name of the shipping item to be picked to the display unit, and the picker collects the shipping item in the picking cart based on the displayed information. After that, the shipped items are transferred to the container for each customer, then the IC card is set in the card reader, the information of the IC card is processed, and the information is output to the printer or the display. Configured.

[0006]

In the conventional work supply system described above, since the picker picks various necessary works from the storage shelves based on the slips printed out by the work management computer, the picking work load. Is high and the work efficiency of picking is low,
False picking is likely to occur because the picker's attention is limited, and the work management computer cannot fully utilize the information processing capacity of the work management computer, resulting in a decrease in its operation rate.
Further, it is difficult to smoothly perform information transmission for transmitting the information of the work to be replenished, which changes from moment to moment, to the replenishment worker who replenishes the work from the outside via the work replenishment transport vehicle. There is a problem that work replenishment in the hangar is likely to be delayed.

On the other hand, even in the picking instruction system described in the above publication, since the picker picks based on the display information displayed on the display, there is basically the same problem as when picking according to the slip. .
An object of the present invention is to improve picking work efficiency in a work supply system for supplying various works to a plurality of production stations in a production line, to effectively use a work management computer, to reduce picking errors, Facilitating the communication of information on work replenishment,
To solve the stagnation of work replenishment.

[0008]

A work supply system according to claim 1 is a work supply system for supplying various works to a plurality of production stations of a production line on the basis of production information for production management. And a self-propelled work transfer vehicle for transferring the work from the work storage to the production station. A work carrier having a plurality of work storage units, and work supply control means for receiving and storing production information from the host computer and outputting a work loading instruction to at least the work carrier and a plurality of storage shelves. It is a thing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the work supply control means is provided on a work management computer that receives production information from the host computer, and the work transfer vehicle side. A handy terminal capable of wirelessly communicating with the management computer; first display means capable of individually instructing a plurality of work storage units based on a command from the handy terminal;
Second display means capable of individually instructing a plurality of storage shelves based on a command received from the handy terminal device by wireless communication.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the work supply system according to the second aspect, wherein the first display means individually drive a plurality of display lamps respectively provided in the plurality of work storage portions. And a drive control unit for controlling. A work supply system according to a fourth aspect is the work supply system according to the second aspect, wherein the second display means receives a command from the handy terminal by wireless communication.
It is provided with a plurality of display lamps respectively provided on the plurality of storage shelves and a drive control section for individually controlling the drive of these display lamps.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the work supply system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the handy terminal includes a receiving / transmitting section, an information storage section, an arithmetic processing section, and a display section. The work supply system of claim 6 is the same as that of claim 2.
In the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 6, the handy terminal device is configured to be able to display the work type information and the quantity of the works to be picked in the plurality of work storage units on the display unit at least by the work types. It is a thing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the work supply system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the work transfer vehicle includes a pallet truck provided with the plurality of work storage sections, and the pallet. And a towing transport vehicle that pulls and transports the carriage. In the work supply system according to claim 8, in the invention according to claim 7, the plurality of work storage units respectively store a plurality of sets of work necessary for a plurality of tact steps that are continuous in time series in any one production station. It is configured to do.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the work supply system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the handy terminal has a corresponding display lamp for the first display means for each work type. In addition to outputting a command to turn on the light, a command to turn on the corresponding display lamp is output to the second display means. A work supply system according to a tenth aspect is the invention according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein a plurality of storage shelves of the work storage is provided with a work replenishing vehicle for replenishing the work from the outside. .

A work supply system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the work supply system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the work replenishment vehicle is provided with a work replenishment handy terminal for receiving a work replenishment command from a work management computer by wireless communication. It is a thing. The work supply system according to claim 12 is the same as claim 11.
In the invention described above, the work supplementary handy terminal includes a receiving unit, an information storage unit, an arithmetic processing unit, and a display unit.

[0015]

In the work supply system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the production management host computer supplies the production information, and the work storage stores a plurality of types of works in a plurality of storage shelves by type. The self-propelled work transfer vehicle has a plurality of work storage units, and the work transfer vehicle transfers the work from the work storage to the production station. The work supply control means receives the production information from the host computer and stores it, and outputs the work loading instruction to at least the work transport vehicle and the plurality of storage shelves. Therefore, the picker for picking can pick up various works according to the work loading instruction output to the work transporting vehicle and the plurality of storage shelves and load them on the work transporting vehicle, so that the picking work efficiency is improved, Fewer picking mistakes.

In the work supply system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the same operation and effect as those of the first aspect are achieved, but the work supply control means is provided on the work management computer for receiving production information from the host computer and on the side of the work transfer vehicle. A handy terminal that is provided and is capable of wireless communication with a work management computer; first display means that can individually instruct a plurality of work storage units based on a command from the handy terminal; and wireless from the handy terminal. A second display unit is provided which can individually indicate a plurality of storage shelves based on a command received through communication.

That is, the work management computer transmits and outputs work information to be picked to a plurality of handy terminals corresponding to a plurality of work transport vehicles.
For example, when a command is output from the handy terminal to the first display means and the second display means for each type of work, the first display means gives an instruction to the corresponding work storage unit among the plurality of work storage units. The second display means displays the instruction on the corresponding storage shelf of the plurality of storage shelves.

Therefore, the picker may pick the work on the storage shelf on which the instruction is displayed in the work storage unit on which the instruction is displayed. Therefore, it suffices to perform picking according to the instructions displayed on both the storage rack and the work storage unit without referring to the slips, so that the picking work efficiency is significantly improved, and picking errors are less likely to occur. Further, since the work management computer can transmit and output the information of the work to be picked to each of the plurality of handy terminals, the work management computer can be effectively used to increase the operation rate.

In the work supply system according to claim 3, the same operation and effect as in claim 2 are achieved, but the first display means has a plurality of display lamps respectively provided in the plurality of work storage portions, and these display lamps. Since the drive control unit that individually controls the driving of the lamps is provided, it is possible to individually instruct the plurality of work storage units through the lighting of the display lamps.

In the work supply system according to claim 4, the same operation and effect as in claim 2 are achieved, but the second display means includes a receiving part for receiving a command from the handy terminal device by wireless communication, and a plurality of receiving parts. Since it is equipped with a plurality of display lamps respectively provided on the storage shelves and a drive control unit for individually controlling the drive of these display lamps, the display lamps are based on a command received by wireless communication from the handy terminal. It is possible to individually instruct a plurality of storage shelves by turning on.

In the work supply system according to the fifth aspect, the same operation and effect as the fourth aspect are achieved, but the handy terminal device includes the transmission / reception section, the information storage section, the arithmetic processing section, and the display section. Since it is provided, information can be transmitted and received to and from the work management computer by wireless communication via the transmission / reception unit, and information can be transmitted to the second display means.
Further, since the information storage unit and the arithmetic processing unit are included, a predetermined amount of information on the work to be picked is received from the work management computer and stored, and, for example, the information for each work type is calculated, and the first information is calculated. It can be output to the display means and the second display means.

In the work supply system according to claim 6, the same operation and effect as in any one of claims 2 to 5 are obtained, but the handy terminal machine is a work to be picked into a plurality of work storage portions. Since the work type information and quantity of are displayed on the display unit according to at least the work type, when picking by work type,
Based on the information displayed on the display unit, the works picked in the plurality of storage units can be confirmed, and picking mistakes can be prevented.

In the work supply system according to claim 7, the same operation and effect as in any one of claims 2 to 5 can be obtained, but the work transfer vehicle has a pallet provided with a plurality of work storage portions. Since it consists of a trolley and a towing carrier that pulls and transports this pallet trolley, the pallet trolley containing the work is transported to the production station and left there, and the empty pallet trolley of the production station is transported to the hangar. can do. As a result, the operating rate of the towed vehicle can be increased and the economy can be improved.

In the work supply system according to the eighth aspect, the same operation and effect as the seventh aspect can be obtained, but the plurality of work storage portions are provided in a plurality of tact steps which are consecutive in time series in any one production station. Since a plurality of sets of workpieces required for each are stored, the pallet truck storing the workpieces may be supplied to each production station once for each of the plurality of tact steps.

In the work supply system according to claim 9, the same action and effect as in any one of claims 2 to 5 can be obtained, but the handy terminal device is provided with different work types.
Since it is configured to output a command to turn on the corresponding display lamp to the first display means, and to output a command to turn on the corresponding display lamp to the second display means, each work type is classified. Can be efficiently picked.

In the work supply system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the same operation and effect as those of any one of the second to fifth aspects are achieved, but the plurality of storage shelves of the work storage is replenished with the work from the outside. Since the work replenishment vehicle is provided, it is possible to replenish the work that has been supplied to the production station and has been reduced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the work supply system, the same action and effect as the tenth aspect are achieved, but for the work replenishment, the work replenishment vehicle receives the work replenishment command from the work management computer by wireless communication. Since the handy terminal device is provided, a work replenishment command for instructing the replenishment of the reduced work can be transmitted from the work management computer to each of the plurality of work replenishing handy terminal devices at any time. Therefore, it is possible to speed up and facilitate the transmission of information regarding the work to be replenished, and it is possible to further effectively use the work management computer.

In the work supply system according to the twelfth aspect, the same operation and effect as those of the eleventh aspect are achieved, but the handy terminal for replenishing the work includes the receiving section, the information storing section,
Since the processing unit and the display unit are provided, the work replenishment command can be received from the work management computer by wireless communication via the receiving unit, and the received work replenishment command can be stored in the storage unit. The content of the work replenishment command can be changed according to the replenishment of the work through the arithmetic processing unit, and the information necessary for the work replenishment can be displayed and output on the display unit.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the vehicle assembly line of the vehicle assembly factory in the automobile manufacturing factory, from the parts storage,
This is an example in which the present invention is applied to a component supply system that supplies various components. The component corresponds to a work and the component supply system corresponds to a work supply system.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of assembling stations 2 for tact-feeding an automobile body B to assemble parts are arranged in a line on the vehicle assembling line 1, and each assembling station is arranged. In 2, the predetermined component assembly work is executed within a predetermined tact step (tact time). For example, a twelve-type component storage unit 11 of the component storage unit 10 stores various types of components classified according to the type of the component, and the component transport vehicle 3 mounts each component on the vehicle assembly line 1 from the component storage unit 10. Necessary parts are supplied to the station 2 at a necessary timing.

The component carrier 3 comprises a pallet carriage 5 having twelve component storage sections 4 and a towing carrier 6 which is detachably connected to the pallet carrier 5 and pulls and transports the pallet carriage 5. Become. The towing transport vehicle 6 includes a detector for detecting a magnetic tape for guidance attached to the floor surface, a detector for detecting magnetic tapes for specifying addresses attached to a plurality of required places on the floor surface, and a traveling drive. It has a mechanism and a control unit, and is configured to run unmanned along a preset traveling path and stop at a preset stop position. The control unit 31 includes a receiving / transmitting unit that wirelessly communicates with a picking handy terminal 24 and an elevator controller, which will be described later, and with a picking handy terminal 24, which will be described later (FIG. 4). reference).

Two pallet trucks 5 and one towing carrier 6 are exclusively allocated to each assembling station 2 of the vehicle assembly line 1, and one pallet truck 5 is one of them. , Stopped at a position near the assembling station 2 to be used for supplying parts, and another pallet truck 5
Are used for picking components in the component storage 10 and for transporting the components. However, it is also possible to apply a non-towed component transport vehicle that is equipped with a plurality of component storage units 4. An elevator 7 for raising and lowering the component carrier 3 is installed between the component storage 10 and the assembly line floor. The elevator controller for controlling the elevator 7 is wirelessly communicated from the towing carrier control unit 31. It is configured to operate in response to a command.

Next, the component storage 10 will be described. As shown in FIG.
The two types of component storage units 11 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement form, and the travel route of each component transport vehicle 3 is preset in association with the component storage unit 11, that is, in association with the type of component to be transported, Further, a magnetic tape 12 for stopping, which sets a stop position of the towed vehicle 6 when picking parts, is attached to each traveling route. In a state where each towed vehicle 6 is stopped at the position designated by the magnetic tape 12 for stopping, a pair of parts storage units 11 facing each other across the traveling path of the traveling route is used to pick up parts by a worker who picks them. Are picked and loaded on the pallet truck 5. The passage 13 is a passage through which a component replenishment vehicle 14 described later travels when replenishing components in the component storage unit 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the component storage units 11 and 11 of each pair are arranged so as to face each other with a running path therebetween.
Each component storage unit 11 is provided with 40 component storage shelves 15 in a matrix of 5 rows and 8 columns, and 16 component storage shelves 15 shown in FIG. 3 have 16 component names P1 to P16. Five types of parts are stored for each set. Then, in the parts storage 10, there are six pairs of parts storage units 11, 11.
16 parts × 6, that is, 96 kinds of parts are stored. Each parts storage shelf 1
5, a part name or a part symbol 16 indicating a part type, an indicator lamp 17, and a bar code 18 indicating a part type are attached.

Each of the component storage shelves 15 has an open front end and a rear end, and an inclined shooter plate is attached to the rear half of each component storage rack 15 to store the components. Shelf 15
The parts to be replenished in are loaded from the opening at the rear end, slide on the shooter plate, and are stored in the storage portion on the front side. Parts carrier 3
The pallet trolley 5 has 1 matrix in 3 rows and 4 columns.
Two component storage parts 4 are provided, and an indicator lamp 9 is attached to each component storage part 4. Of the 12 component storage parts 4, four of the upper parts are No. 1 to No in order from the right. Storage section No. 4
No.5 to No.8 storage section Nos. Are attached in order from the right to the four middle rows, and No.9 to No. 9 to the bottom four in order from the right.
No. 12 storage section No. is attached.

Twelve component storage parts 4 of No. 1 to No. 12
Is a vehicle for twelve vehicles that flow through the assembling station 2 to which the pallet truck 5 exclusively belongs, and the parts are supplied from the pallet truck 5 consecutively in time series 1.
Twelve sets of parts for two cars (12 sets of parts for 12 tact steps which are continuous in time series) are stored respectively. Further, a plurality of component replenishing vehicles 14 for replenishing components from an external warehouse or the like are also provided in the component storage 10.

Next, the control system of this component supply system will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the host computer 20 creates production information for production management of an automobile manufacturing factory and supplies it to a plurality of production plants and vehicle assembly plants via the communication line 21. This production information is production information for assembling various parts to the vehicle body B in the vehicle assembly line 1 (for each vehicle, body number, order number, vehicle type information, various specification information, vehicle assembly line It includes a parts list of a large number of parts to be assembled, the timing of introducing the vehicle body into the vehicle assembly line, etc.).

In the communication line 21, a production information file server 22 for storing the production information received from the host computer 20 by a predetermined amount for a predetermined period, and a production information file server 22 installed in the parts storage 10 It is connected to a component management computer 23 that reads out information and manages component supply. The production information file server 22 includes a keyboard 22a and a display 22b. The parts management computer 23 includes a keyboard 23a, a display 23b, and a wireless communication modem 23c.

The picking handy terminal 24 is detachably attached to the connector section 25 of the pallet truck 5 of the component carrier 3, and includes a receiving / transmitting section for wireless communication.
A microcomputer including an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit;
It has a keyboard 24a, a liquid crystal display 24b, and a battery. The pallet truck 5 has a connector section 25, the 12 display lamps 9 described above, and a truck lamp controller 2 for individually driving and controlling the 12 display lamps 9 based on a command from the handy terminal device 24.
6, a battery 27 that supplies power to the carriage lamp controller 26, and a handy terminal device 24 via the connector unit 25.
A push button 28 for inputting a work completion signal, and a connector portion 25.
A bar code reader 29 connected to the handy terminal 24 via a bar code reader 29 or the like for reading the bar code 18 of the parts storage shelf 15 when an urgent part replenishment command is issued. There is.

A storage shelf lamp controller 30 for individually driving and controlling the 40 display lamps 17 of the component storage shelf 11 based on a command from the handy terminal 24 is attached to the side of the component storage shelf 11. The storage shelf lamp controller 30 includes a receiving unit that receives a command from the handy terminal device 24. Each component replenishment vehicle 14 is provided with a component replenishment handy terminal 32 which is detachably attached to the connector portion 31 thereof. This handy terminal 32 receives a component replenishment command from the component management computer 23. And a microcomputer including a storage unit and an arithmetic processing unit, and a keyboard 32
a and a liquid crystal display 32b.

Next, the component supply control in the component supply system will be described. The component supply control is mainly performed by the component management computer 23, the picking handy terminal device 24, and the carriage lamp controller 26.
And the storage shelf lamp controller 30 and the handy terminal device 32 for component replenishment.
The parts management process by the parts management computer 23 and the loading command process by the picking handy terminal 24 will be described with reference to a flowchart, and other controls and processes will be described in text because they are relatively simple. To do.

First, the component management processing by the component management computer 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flow chart, the symbol Si (i =
, 1, 2, 3, ...) Indicate each step. This parts management process is always executed during operation of the vehicle assembly line, and when this parts management process is started, the vehicle assembly production information (for example, 180 vehicles) is output from the production information file server 22. Is read and stored in the memory (S1), and then the production information is processed by a predetermined control program to create component request information for each station and store it in the memory (S2). As shown in FIG. 9, the component request information is specific information (body number, order number, vehicle type, etc.) for identifying each of 180 automobiles B1, B2, ...
Etc.), various specifications, time of introduction into the vehicle assembly line 1,
Insertion time (date, month, day) into each assembling station ST1, ST2, ..., Special notes, parts list of parts to be assembled at each assembling station ST1, ST2 ,. Is included.

Next, the handy terminal 24 for picking
Further, it is determined whether or not the information transmission command is received (S3). If the determination is No, it is determined whether or not the component request information is less than or equal to the predetermined number (S4). If the number is less than or equal to the predetermined number, go to S1. The process returns to read the control information, and when the number is not less than the predetermined number, the process returns to S3. When the information transmission command is received from the handy terminal device 24, the handy terminal device 24 receives, for the handy terminal device 24, ID information for specifying the corresponding handy terminal device 24 among the plurality of handy terminal devices 24 and the handy terminal device 24. The parts request information for 60 units for the assembling station 2 corresponding to the parts transportation vehicle 3 attached with is transmitted and output (S5). The parts request information corresponds to the information in each column corresponding to each station ST1, ST2, ... In FIG.

Next, in S6, the I for identifying the corresponding handy terminal 32 of the plurality of handy terminals 32 with respect to the handy terminal 32 for component replenishment.
Based on the D information and the component request information for 60 units in S5, the component replenishment information (this corresponds to the component replenishment command) for replenishing the component that will be reduced from the component storage 10 is transmitted and output. , And then returns to S3. Parts replenishment vehicle 1
In No. 4, since the received component supplement information is displayed on the liquid crystal display 32b of the handy terminal device 32,
Based on the display information, the parts are transported from the parts warehouse or the like and are replenished to the corresponding parts storage shelves 15 for each kind of parts.

Next, the handy terminal 24 for picking
The load command processing by means of will be described with reference to FIGS. However, this processing is performed when picking a component to the component carrier 3 attached to the first assembly station ST1, and the component carrier 3 starts from the first pair of component storage units 11 and 11. , Part names P1 to P16
The case of picking and transporting the above parts will be described as an example. This processing is started, for example, by operating the start key of the handy terminal device 24 while the picker holds the handy terminal device 24 in the hand. First, it is determined whether or not there is no component request information in the memory. Judgment (S10), the judgment is
If Yes, the ID information and the information transmission command are transmitted and output to the parts management computer 23 (S11).
Then, since the component request information is transmitted through the step of S5, in S12, the ID information and 6
When the component request information for 0 units is received and the ID information matches, the component request information for 60 units is stored in the memory.

However, when the determination in S10 is No, S11
And S12 are skipped and the process proceeds to S13. In S13, a comment indicating that the handy terminal device 24 is connected to the connector unit 25 is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display 24b. Therefore, when the picker connects the handy terminal device 24 to the connector unit 25, the unit request information for 12 units is obtained. Is read from the memory (S14), and then the component name counter i is i =
1 (S15), and then the component name Pi is transmitted and output to the storage shelf lamp controller 30 (S1).
6) Next, one or a plurality of storage section numbers for storing the parts with the part name Pi are output to the carriage lamp controller 26 (S17). Next, in S18, the component name Pi and the quantity per unit are displayed on the liquid crystal display 24b.

When the storage shelf lamp controller 30 receives the component name Pi, as shown in FIG. 10, the five display lamps 17 of the storage shelf 15 for one row corresponding to the component name Pi are turned on, and When the dolly lamp controller 26 receives the storage section No. in which the part with the part name Pi is to be stored,
As shown in FIG. 1, the indicator lamp 9 of the storage section 4 of the storage section No. is turned on. Therefore, the picker picks up any one of the parts of the storage shelf 15 whose display lamp 17 is lit by the quantity displayed on the liquid crystal display 24b, and stores the parts where the display lamp 9 of the pallet truck 5 is lit. When the parts 4 are loaded, the picking of the part with the part name Pi is completed.

Next, in S19, it is determined whether or not a work completion signal has been input from the push button 28. When the picker operates the push button 28 after completing the picking of the component with the component name Pi, the determination in S19 is Yes,
Next, in order to pick the next component, the component name counter i is incremented by 1 in S20. Here, at the time when the part name counter i = 5 and at the time when the part name counter i = 10, a movement command is transmitted and output to the towing carrier control unit 31 (S21), and the part carrier 3 is , Move to the next stop position. Therefore, picking can be performed with the distance from the picker to the pallet truck 5 kept as small as possible.

Next, in S22, the part name counter i> 1
If it is No, the process returns to S16 and S16 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner as described above, and the determination in S22 is Yes.
When s is reached, the end comment is displayed on the liquid crystal display 24b (S23). Next, in order to confirm the components picked in the component storage unit 14 of the pallet truck 3, one or a plurality of component storage unit numbers that should be empty are output to the truck lamp controller 26 (S24). Then, the carriage lamp controller 26 turns on the display lamp 9 of the one or more component storage units 14 which should be empty, and the picker confirms that no components are stored in the component storage unit 14 which should be empty. This makes it possible to confirm that there are no picking mistakes.

Further, the retrieval information for confirming the picking parts is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display 24b (S2
6) The picker can confirm that there is no picking error by collating the search information with the picked component. Here, if one row of component storage shelves 15 is empty during component picking, and it is necessary to urgently replenish components, the barcode reader 29 is used to store the barcode 18.
Is read, the information is transmitted to the component management computer 23 via the handy terminal 24, and the component management computer 23 transmits a command to the component replenishing vehicle 14 to replenish the component.

Next, it is judged whether or not the work completion signal is input (S27), and after the above confirmation is completed, when the picker operates the push button 28 to input the work completion signal, the process proceeds to S28, A comment for removing the handy terminal device 24 for picking from the connector portion 25 is displayed and output on the liquid crystal display 24b (S28), and when the handy terminal device 24 is removed from the connector portion 25, next,
A traveling start command is transmitted and output to the towed vehicle control unit 31 (S29), and then the loading command process of this time is ended.

The parts transport vehicle 3 starts traveling along a predetermined travel route in response to a travel start command, travels to the elevator 7, and communicates wirelessly between the towing transport vehicle control unit and the elevator controller. Then, the parts transportation vehicle 3 transfers to the elevator 7 and rises to the assembly line floor, travels along a predetermined traveling route on the assembly line floor, travels to the intended assembly station, and then transports the transportation. The towed vehicle 6 is separated from the pallet truck 5 that has come by manual operation, the empty pallet truck 5 at the assembly station is manually connected to the towed vehicle 6, and the towed vehicle 6 travels in a predetermined manner. When the start switch is operated, the empty component carrier 3 is configured to automatically travel to the loading start position of the component storage 10.

Effects and the like of the component supply system described above will be described. The corresponding indicator lamp 17 of the indicator lamps 17 of the component storage shelf 15 and the indicator lamp 9 of the indicator lamps 9 of the pallet truck 5 are configured to be turned on for each type of the parts to be picked. Further, since the liquid crystal display 24b is configured to display and output the part name Pi and the quantity per set,
After confirming the quantity per set, the picker can pick up the parts and load them onto the pallet truck 5 according to the indications of the display lamps 9 and 17, so that the picking work load is remarkably reduced and the picking work efficiency is improved. Can be significantly increased. Since the handy terminal 24 is provided with the receiving / transmitting unit, the microcomputer, the keyboard, and the liquid crystal display 24b, it becomes possible to store, calculate, and display the component request information, reduce the picking work load, and picking. It is advantageous in improving work efficiency.

Further, since the information is exchanged by wireless communication between the parts management computer 23 and the handy terminal 24, the information transfer for picking parts can be speeded up and facilitated. it can. This also applies to the handy terminal 32 for replenishing parts, and information transmission for replenishing parts can be speeded up and facilitated. Since the receiving / transmitting unit, the microcomputer, the keyboard, and the liquid crystal display 32b are provided in the handy terminal device 32, it becomes possible to store the component replenishment information, perform arithmetic processing, display, etc., and reduce the component replenishment work load, This is advantageous in improving the efficiency of parts replenishment work. Further, since information can be supplied from one component management computer 23 to a plurality of handy terminals 24 and a plurality of handy terminals 32 at any time, the component management computer 23 can be effectively used to improve the operation rate. Can be increased.

As the component carrier 3, a pallet truck 5 and
In order to apply the component carrier 3 including the towing carrier 6,
The pallet trolley 5 that has been loaded and transported with the parts is left at the assembly station, and the empty pallet trolley 5 at the assembly station can be forwarded to the parts storage 10 by the tow transport vehicle 6, so that the tow transport vehicle 6 operates. The rate can be increased, which is advantageous in terms of equipment economy.

In the above embodiment, each component carrier 3 is
The case where the components are picked from the pair of component storage units 11 and 11 has been described as an example, but each component carrier 3 is configured to pick the components from the plurality of pairs of component storage units 11 and 11. You may. Also,
The component transport vehicle 3 has a component storage shelf 15 corresponding to the component name Pi.
Of course, it can be configured so as to automatically move to the location. Regarding a parts supply system that supplies parts to a production line other than the vehicle assembly line of the automobile manufacturing factory, also to a parts supply system that supplies various parts to a plurality of production stations of a production line other than the automobile manufacturing factory, Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly line and a parts storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the parts storage of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of component storage units, a component transport vehicle, a component replenishment vehicle, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a control system of a component supply system that supplies components to the assembly line.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a component management process performed by a component management computer.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flow chart of a loading command process by the handy terminal for picking.

FIG. 7 is a part of a flowchart of the loading instruction process.

FIG. 8 is the rest of the flowchart of the loading instruction process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of component request information in the component management computer.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a display state of a display lamp of the component storage shelf.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a display state by a display lamp of a component storage unit of a pallet truck of a component transport vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vehicle Assembly Line 2 Assembly Station 3 Parts Carrier 4 Parts Storage 5 Pallet Truck 6 Traction Vehicle 9 Display Lamp 10 Parts Storage 11 Parts Storage Unit 14 Parts Replenishment Vehicle 15 Parts Storage 17 Display Lamp 20 Host Computer 22 Production Information File server 23 Parts management computer 24 Picking handy terminal 26 Truck lamp controller 30 Storage rack lamp controller 31 Towing carrier control unit 32 Handy terminal for component replenishment

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location B65G 1/137 A 8819-3F (72) Inventor Nobuyo Toshino 3 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture No. 1 in Mazda Motor Corporation

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A work supply system for supplying various works to a plurality of production stations of a production line based on production management production information, and a production management host computer for supplying the production information, and a plurality of types. A work warehousing in which the works are stored in a plurality of storage shelves by type, and a self-propelled work transfer vehicle that transfers the work from the work storage to the production station, the work transfer vehicle having a plurality of work storage units, The production information is received from the host computer and stored,
A work supply system, comprising at least a work supply control means for outputting a work loading instruction to a work transfer vehicle and a plurality of storage shelves. 2. The work supply control means, a work management computer for receiving production information from the host computer, a handy terminal device provided on the side of the work transport vehicle and capable of wirelessly communicating with the work management computer, First display means capable of individually instructing a plurality of work storage units based on a command from the handy terminal, and a plurality of storage shelves individually based on a command received by wireless communication from the handy terminal. The work supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The first display means is provided with a plurality of display lamps respectively provided in the plurality of work storage portions, and a drive control portion for individually driving and controlling the display lamps. The work supply system according to claim 2. 4. The second display means receives a command from the handy terminal by wireless communication, a plurality of display lamps respectively provided on a plurality of storage shelves, and these display lamps individually. The work supply system according to claim 2, further comprising: a drive control unit that dynamically controls the drive. 5. The handy terminal includes a receiving / transmitting section,
The work supply system according to claim 4, further comprising an information storage unit, a calculation processing unit, and a display unit. 6. The handy terminal device is configured to be able to display work type information and quantity of works to be picked in a plurality of work storage units on a display unit according to at least work types. The work supply system according to any one of claims 2 to 5. 7. The work transfer vehicle comprises a pallet carriage provided with the plurality of work storage units, and a towing transfer vehicle that pulls and transfers the pallet carriage. Item 6. The work supply system according to any one of items 5. 8. The plurality of work storage units are configured to respectively store a plurality of sets of works necessary for a plurality of tact steps that are consecutive in time series in any one production station. The work supply system according to claim 7. 9. The handy terminal outputs a command for turning on the corresponding display lamp to the first display means and a command for turning on the corresponding display lamp to the second display means for each work type. The work supply system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the work supply system is configured to output. 10. A plurality of storage shelves in the work storage,
The work supply system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a work replenishing vehicle for replenishing the work from the outside. 11. The work supply system according to claim 10, wherein the work supply vehicle is provided with a work replenishment handy terminal for receiving a work replenishment command from a work management computer by wireless communication. . 12. The work supply system according to claim 11, wherein the handy terminal for replenishing work includes a receiving unit, an information storage unit, an arithmetic processing unit, and a display unit.