JP2006133867A - Working hour estimation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a working hour estimation device capable of accurately estimating working hours when manufacturing a product. <P>SOLUTION: A 3D data arrangement part 15a controls an operation of a virtual worker who works in a virtual factory layout according to operation instructive data inputted by a work operation inputting part 15b. A work operation measuring part 15d calculates positions of each region of the body of the virtual worker such as his/her joints and ends in the virtual 3D space. A body variation measurement part 20 calculates a moving distance of each region of the virtual worker's body as an absolute moving distance from the amount of movement of the position of each region calculated by the work operation measuring part 15d. A variation distance calculating part 21 calculates a relative moving distance according to the hierarchical structure of each region from the absolute moving distance of each region calculated by the body variation measurement part 20. A working hour calculation part 24 calculates working hours from the relative moving distance calculated by the variation distance calculating part 21 using a table showing working hours corresponding to the relative moving distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a work time estimation device that estimates a work time when producing a product.

  Utilizing a computer, a three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) system that supports product design has been used to improve the efficiency of product development work. Further, the three-dimensional data of products designed using this three-dimensional CAD system is utilized for production preparation and the like. For example, it is possible to estimate the working time for producing a product in the stage before the production of the product prototype.

  As a conventional technique using a three-dimensional CAD system, there is a cost estimation support system that makes it possible to estimate a work time by creating a correspondence table indicating the relationship between work contents and work time. This work content is determined based on information input when a 3D model of a product is created using a 3D CAD system, or represents a 3D model created using a 3D CAD system. Extracted from the information (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245071

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, in order to estimate the work time, it is necessary to create a correspondence table between the work content and the work time before performing the estimation. This correspondence table does not include the time for preparation work to prepare parts and jigs, or even if it is included, it is the time required from experience, and the work time cannot be estimated accurately. There is a problem. Furthermore, it is necessary to manually estimate the work time such as the preparation work not included in the correspondence table, and there is a problem that an estimation error may occur due to human error.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a work time estimation device capable of accurately estimating a work time when producing a product.

The present invention provides an absolute movement distance calculation means for calculating an absolute movement distance by which each part of the body of a virtual worker who performs work for producing a product in a virtual three-dimensional space,
Relative movement distance for calculating the relative movement distance of the part of interest with respect to the reference part for each part of the body of the virtual worker based on the absolute movement distance of each part calculated by the absolute movement distance calculation means Calculation means;
A work time estimation device comprising: work time calculation means for calculating work time for performing work for producing the product based on the relative movement distance calculated by the relative movement distance calculation means. .

  According to the present invention, the absolute movement distance calculation means calculates the absolute movement distance that each part of the body of the virtual worker who performs the work for producing the product in the virtual three-dimensional space is moved, and the relative movement distance. Based on the absolute movement distance of each part calculated by the absolute movement distance calculation means, the relative movement distance of the target part relative to the reference part is calculated for each part of the body of the virtual worker by the calculation means. Then, the work time calculation means calculates the work time for performing work for producing the product based on the relative movement distance calculated by the relative movement distance calculation means.

  In this way, the work time is calculated based on the relative movement distance of each part of the body of the virtual worker who performs the work for producing the product in the virtual three-dimensional space. The time can be estimated accurately.

The present invention also provides environmental data storage for storing product data relating to products produced using a plurality of parts, part data relating to parts included in the products, and layout data relating to layouts of production facilities for producing the products. Means,
Based on the layout data stored in the environmental data storage means, a virtual production facility is constructed in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the product data stored in the environmental data storage means is stored in the constructed virtual production facility. Virtual space control means for arranging a virtual product based on the virtual product, a virtual part based on the part data stored in the environment data storage means, and the virtual worker, and controlling the operation of the placed virtual worker When,
Display means for displaying the virtual production facility constructed by the virtual space control means, the virtual product, the virtual component, and the virtual worker arranged in the virtual production facility;
An operation input means for inputting operation instruction data for instructing the operation of the virtual worker;
Work time storage means for storing the work time calculated by the work time calculation means;
Output means for outputting the work time stored in the work time storage means,
In the movement of the virtual worker controlled by the virtual space control means based on the action instruction data input by the action input means, the absolute movement distance calculation means is configured so that each part of the body of the virtual worker is The absolute movement distance moved is calculated.

  According to the present invention, the virtual worker operating in the virtual production facility constructed in the virtual three-dimensional space is controlled based on the operation instruction data input by the operation input means, and the virtual worker's Since the working time is calculated based on the relative movement distance of each part of the body, the working time for producing the product can be accurately estimated.

Further, in the present invention, the environmental data storage means further stores jig data relating to a jig used when producing the product,
The virtual space control means arranges a virtual jig based on the jig data stored in the environmental data storage means in the virtual production facility,
The display means displays a virtual jig arranged in the virtual production facility by the virtual space control means.

  According to the present invention, jig data relating to a jig used when producing a product is stored, a virtual jig based on the stored jig data is arranged in a virtual production facility, and a virtual worker performs it. Since the work time of the work is calculated, the work time using the jig can be estimated.

The present invention also includes work time data storage means for storing work time data indicating the work time corresponding to the relative movement distance calculated by the relative movement distance calculation means,
The work time calculation means calculates the work time based on work time data stored in the work time data storage means.

  According to the present invention, since the calculation is performed using the work time data indicating the correspondence between the relative movement distance and the work time, the work time can be easily estimated from the relative movement distance.

According to the present invention, the part data stored in the environmental data storage means includes at least one data among data on the weight, slipping degree, hardness, temperature, external dimensions, and volume of the part,
The work time calculation means calculates the work time based on at least one of data relating to the weight, slip, hardness, temperature, external dimensions, and volume of a part included in the part data. And

  According to the present invention, the working time is calculated based on the weight, slipping degree, hardness, temperature, outer dimensions, volume, etc. of the part, so the weight, slipping degree, hardness, temperature, outer dimensions, volume, etc. of the part, etc. Work time can be estimated.

The present invention also includes work procedure data storage means for storing work procedure data relating to a work procedure indicating a plurality of work performed to produce the product and the order of the plurality of work,
The work time calculation means calculates a work time for each work of the work procedure indicated by the work procedure data stored in the work procedure data storage means.

  According to the present invention, work procedure data relating to a work procedure indicating a plurality of work performed to produce a product and the order of the plurality of work is stored, and a work time is calculated for each work of the stored work procedure. Therefore, if the work is divided, the work time of the work in a smaller unit can be estimated.

Further, according to the present invention, the environmental data storage means stores data relating to the difficulty levels of the plurality of operations,
The work time calculation means calculates the work time based on the work difficulty indicated by the data related to the work difficulty stored in the environment data storage means.

  According to the present invention, since the work time is calculated based on the work difficulty level, it is possible to estimate the work time in consideration of the work difficulty level.

  According to the present invention, since the work time is calculated based on the relative movement distance of each part of the body of the virtual worker who performs the work for producing the product in the virtual three-dimensional space, the work time is estimated manually. It is possible to prevent human error and estimation occurrence that sometimes occur, and to estimate an accurate work time. Furthermore, since the working time for producing the product can be accurately estimated before the product prototype is manufactured, it is possible to make a production plan for the factory and a human resource allocation plan systematically.

  According to the present invention, a virtual worker who operates in a virtual production facility constructed in a virtual three-dimensional space is controlled based on the operation instruction data input by the operation input means, and the virtual worker's Since the work time is calculated based on the relative movement distance of each part of the body, the work time can be estimated by simulation in a virtual production environment close to the actual production environment, and the work time when producing products is accurate Can be estimated.

  According to the present invention, jig data relating to a jig used when producing a product is stored, a virtual jig based on the stored jig data is arranged in a virtual production facility, and a virtual worker performs Since the work time of the work is calculated, the work time using the jig can be estimated, and the work time can be accurately estimated even for different jigs.

  According to the present invention, since the calculation is performed using the work time data indicating the correspondence between the relative movement distance and the work time, the work time can be easily and accurately estimated if the relative movement distance is known.

  According to the present invention, the working time is calculated based on the weight, slipperiness, hardness, temperature, outer dimensions, volume, etc. of each part, so the weight, slipperiness, hardness, temperature, outer dimensions, and volume of the parts. It is possible to estimate the working time in consideration of the above, and to accurately estimate the working time affected by these.

  According to the present invention, work procedure data relating to a work procedure indicating a plurality of work performed to produce a product and the order of the plurality of work is stored, and a work time is calculated for each work of the stored work procedure. Therefore, if the work is divided, the work time of the work in a smaller unit can be accurately estimated.

  According to the present invention, since the work time is calculated based on the work difficulty level, it is possible to estimate the work time in consideration of the work difficulty level, and accurately estimate the work time even if the work difficulty levels are different. Can do.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a work time estimation calculation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A work time estimation calculation device 1 that is a work time estimation device includes a 3D (3-Dimension) data storage unit 10, a 3D data creation unit 11, an assembly procedure storage unit 12, an assembly procedure creation unit 13, an assembly procedure editing unit 14, and a VR. (Virtual Reality) It is configured to include a space control unit 15, a body fluctuation measurement unit 20, a fluctuation distance calculation unit 21, a master data storage unit 22, a master data creation unit 23, a work time calculation unit 24, and a work time storage unit 25. The

  The 3D data storage unit 10 is 3D data that is at least three-dimensional data, for example, 3D product data 10a relating to a product produced using a plurality of parts, factory layout data 10b relating to a layout of a production facility for producing the product, The jig data 10c relating to the jig used when producing the product, and part data (not shown) relating to the parts included in the product are stored. The layout of the production facility is a layout indicating the arrangement of work desks and work shelves, for example. The dotted lines shown in the figure indicate that 3D product data 10a, factory layout data 10b, and jig data 10c are stored in the 3D data storage unit 10. Hereinafter, the dotted lines shown in FIG. 1 indicate that data is stored in the respective storage units.

  The 3D data creation unit 11 is a function realized by executing an application program such as 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, creates 3D data, and stores the created 3D data in the 3D data storage unit 10. For a plurality of parts constituting the product, part data is created for each part, and the created part data for each part is combined and stored in the 3D data storage unit 10 as 3D product data 10a.

  The assembling procedure storage unit 12 stores assembling procedure data 12a relating to an assembling procedure indicating an operation performed when an assembling worker produces a product, that is, when assembling the product and an order of the operations. The assembly procedure creation unit 13 creates assembly procedure data 12a. The assembly procedure editing unit 14 can edit the assembly procedure data 12a, and the editing is performed when the estimated work time is not satisfactory. The assembly procedure is a work procedure.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly procedure table used in the work time estimation calculation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The assembly procedure table is a table in which a series of assembly operations performed by an assembly operator is divided, and the divided operations are shown in the order in which the operations are performed. The assembly procedure table is composed of two columns, “work order” and “work content”. The “work order” field contains a number indicating the work order, and the “work content” field describes the work content. ing. For example, the assembly procedure table shown in FIG. 2 is an assembly procedure in which an assembly operation for tightening one screw is divided. Numbers “1” to “6” are described as “operation order”, and “operation contents”. For each number, "Remove screw from box", "Prepare electric screwdriver", "Change screw", "Position screw", "Position electric screwdriver", and "Tighten screw" Is described.

  In this way, if the assembly work for tightening one screw is divided into a plurality of works, the individual work time of the divided work can be estimated in detail. On the other hand, when a series of assembly operations for tightening screws is taken as one operation and an assembly procedure is created, the work time of a series of assembly operations for tightening screws can be estimated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the VR space control unit 15 includes a 3D data arrangement unit 15a, a work motion input unit 15b, a VR video display unit 15c, and a work motion measurement unit 15d. Based on the factory layout data 10b stored in the 3D data storage unit 10, the 3D data placement unit 15a constructs a virtual factory layout that is a virtual factory layout in a VR space that is a virtual three-dimensional space. Further, a virtual product based on the 3D product data 10a stored in the 3D data storage unit 10 and a virtual part based on the part data stored in the 3D data storage unit 10 are stored in the virtual factory layout in the 3D data storage unit 10. A virtual jig based on the jig data 10c and a virtual worker who operates in the virtual factory layout are arranged. The virtual factory layout is a virtual production facility.

  The work operation input unit 15b is an input device that inputs operation instruction data for instructing the operation of the virtual worker in the virtual factory layout. The input device is, for example, a body fluctuation measuring device worn by an operator, and uses a magnetic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, or the like. The 3D data arrangement unit 15a controls the operation of the virtual worker who works in the virtual factory layout according to the operation instruction data input by the work operation input unit 15b.

  The VR video display unit 15c includes, for example, a virtual factory layout constructed by the 3D data arrangement unit 15a, a virtual product, a virtual part, and a virtual jig arranged in the virtual factory layout by the 3D data arrangement unit 15a. This is a display device that displays a virtual worker operating under the control of the 3D data arrangement unit 15a as a three-dimensional image. The display device is, for example, a head mounted display called HMD (Head Mounted Display) using binocular parallax, or a 3D monitor or 3D projector using polarized glasses or liquid crystal shutter glasses. Since binocular parallax can be used to experience a three-dimensional immersive feeling, an accurate work time can be estimated.

  Further, the VR video display unit 15c displays an assembly procedure table based on the assembly procedure data 12a. At this time, identification information that can specify which work in the assembly procedure table should be performed by the virtual worker is displayed. For example, the color of the item column of the work to be performed by the virtual worker is displayed in a different color from the other item columns.

  The work motion measuring unit 15d calculates the positions of each part of the virtual worker's body, for example, each joint and each tip, in the virtual three-dimensional space. The body fluctuation measurement unit 20 calculates the movement distance of each part of the body of the virtual worker as an absolute movement distance based on the movement amount of the position of each part calculated by the work motion measurement unit 15d. At this time, the VR space control unit 15 notifies the body fluctuation measurement unit 20 which work in the assembly procedure is to be estimated, and the absolute movement distance of each part for each work of the assembly procedure. Let's calculate. The fluctuation distance calculation unit 21 calculates a relative movement distance for each part from the absolute movement distance of each part calculated by the body fluctuation measurement unit 20. A method for calculating the relative movement distance will be described later.

  The master data storage unit 22 stores hierarchical structure data that represents the relationship of each part of the body of the assembly worker in a hierarchical structure, and master data that represents the work time corresponding to the relative movement distance of each part in a table. ing. The master data creation unit 23 creates hierarchical structure data and master data and stores them in the master data storage unit 22. The master data is preferably tabulated for all parts of the body that operate when the assembly worker performs work, for example, all joints and tips such as fingers, wrists, heads, and hips.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the parts of the body of the assembly worker expressed in a hierarchical structure. In the hierarchical structure of this example, the parts of the body of the assembling worker are all joints and tips, and the uppermost layer part is represented as the waist 30 and the lowermost layer part is represented as the tip of the finger. Of the two connected parts in the adjacent layers, the upper layer part is defined as the parent joint and the lower layer part is defined as the child joint. For example, if the wrist joint 31 is a parent joint, the first thumb joint 32 is a child joint with respect to the wrist joint 31, and the second thumb joint is a child joint of the first thumb joint 32. In this example, the parent joint is the reference site and the child joint is the target site. Hereinafter, the joint and the tip may be collectively referred to as a joint.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of master data stored in the master data storage unit 22 shown in FIG. The master data in this example is a table indicating the work time corresponding to the relative movement distance of the first joint 32 of the thumb. In this table, there are two fields of “first thumb joint movement amount (mm)” and “working time (msec)”, and the first thumb joint movement amounts “−10”, “10-20”, Working hours “10”, “23”, “33”, and “44” are shown for “20-30” and “30-40”, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the master data stored in the master data storage unit 22 shown in FIG. The master data in this example is a table indicating the work time corresponding to the relative movement distance of the hip joint 30. In this table, there are two columns of “lumbar joint movement (mm)” and “working time (msec)”, and hip joint movements “−10”, “10-20”, “20 Work times “22”, “30”, “50”, and “60” are shown for “˜30” and “30-40”, respectively.

The master data storage unit 22 may store mathematical formulas for calculating the working time by calculation instead of the master data. For example, when the relationship between the working time and the relative movement distance is proportional, the mathematical formula shown in the formula (1) may be used.
Working time = K * Relative travel distance (1)
The working time can be obtained by multiplying the relative movement distance by a constant K. The constant K is a constant determined for each joint, and this constant K is also stored in the master data storage unit 22 together with the mathematical expression.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the work time calculation unit 24 uses the master data stored in the master data storage unit 22 and based on the relative movement distance calculated by the variable distance calculation unit 21, the work time of each part. Calculate The work time calculation unit 24 stores the obtained work time in the work time storage unit 25 in association with each work of the assembly procedure.

  The work time estimation calculation device 1 includes a computer (not shown), a storage unit, an input unit, and an output unit. The program executed on the computer of the work time estimation calculation device 1 includes a 3D data creation unit 11, an assembly procedure creation unit 13, an assembly procedure editing unit 14, a VR space control unit 15, a body variation measurement unit 20, and a variation distance calculation unit. 21, a program that realizes functions such as a master data creation unit 23 and a work time calculation unit 24.

  The storage unit includes a storage device such as a semiconductor memory that stores a program, and a storage device such as a magnetic disk device that stores data such as the master data described above. The input unit is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting data necessary for estimating the work time. The output unit is an output device such as a display device having a display screen such as a liquid crystal display that outputs information required by the user, or a printing device that prints on paper or the like. By outputting the work time stored in the work time storage unit 25 to the output unit, the estimated work time can be provided to the user.

  The 3D data storage unit 10, the assembly procedure storage unit 12, the master data storage unit 22, and the work time storage unit 25 are storage devices such as a magnetic disk device included in the above-described storage unit. The 3D data storage unit 10 is an environmental data storage unit, the assembly procedure storage unit 12 is a work procedure data storage unit, the 3D data arrangement unit 15a is a virtual space control unit, the work operation input unit 15b is an operation input unit, and the VR video display unit 15c is Display means, body movement measuring section 20 is absolute movement distance calculating means, fluctuation distance calculating section 21 is relative movement distance calculating means, master data storage section 22 is hierarchical structure data storage means and work time data storage means, work time calculation section 24 Is the work time calculation means, the work time storage section 25 is the work time storage means, and the output section is the output means.

  The 3D product data 10a is product data, the factory layout data 10b is layout data, and the master data is work time data.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of work time estimation processing performed by the work time estimation calculation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. After the work time estimation calculation apparatus 1 is powered on and ready to estimate the work time, the process proceeds to step S1, and the computer of the work time estimation calculation apparatus 1 executes the processing of this flowchart.

  In step S1, 3D data creation unit 11 creates 3D data such as 3D product data 10a, factory layout data 10b, jig data 10c, and part data as preparatory processing before estimating work time. Store in the data storage unit 10. In step S2, as a preparatory process, the master data creation unit 23 uses the hierarchical structure data representing the relationship of each part of the body of the assembly worker in a hierarchical structure and the relative movement distance of each part of the body of the assembly worker. Master data representing the corresponding work time in a table is created and stored in the master data storage unit 22.

  In step S3, the assembly procedure creation unit 13 determines the work to be estimated for work time among the work performed by the assembly worker to assemble the product, and the order of performing the plurality of work when there are multiple work. To do. The determined work and order are stored in the assembly procedure storage unit 12 as assembly procedure data 12a. The result of estimating the work time using the work time estimation calculation device 1 is not satisfactory, and when the estimation is redone, the assembly procedure editing unit 14 edits the assembly procedure data 12a stored in the assembly procedure storage unit 12. . Whether the estimated result is satisfactory or not can be determined by comparing the estimated work time with a predetermined reference time, for example, and whether the estimated time has been reached or not. The result may be output to the output unit described above, the user may determine whether the output is satisfactory, and instruct the determination result from the input unit described above.

  In step S4, the VR space control unit 15 sets a VR space, which is a virtual three-dimensional space, by the 3D data placement unit 15a, and factory layout data 10b stored in the 3D data storage unit 10 in the set VR space. Build a virtual factory layout based on Further, in the virtual factory layout, a virtual product based on the 3D product data 10a stored in the 3D data storage unit 10, a virtual part based on the component data stored in the 3D data storage unit 10, and the 3D data storage unit 10 A virtual jig based on the jig data 10c stored in the virtual worker and a virtual worker who operates in the virtual factory layout are arranged.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the VR space 40 displayed on the VR video display unit 15c illustrated in FIG. The virtual factory layout displayed in the VR space 40 is a factory layout based on the cell production method. The factory layout may be a cell production system in the form of a stand shown in FIG. 7, or may be a form using a belt conveyor as in line work.

  In the virtual factory layout, a virtual work table 41, a virtual work shelf 42, a virtual worker 43, a virtual product 44, a virtual screw receiver 45, a virtual screw 46, a virtual electric driver 47, and the like are arranged. The The virtual screw 46 is disposed in a virtual screw receiver 45 disposed on the virtual work shelf 42, the virtual product 44 and the virtual electric driver 47 are disposed on the virtual work table 41, The virtual worker 43 is arranged in front of the virtual work table 41. The virtual screw receiver 45, the virtual screw 46, the virtual electric driver 47, and the like are pseudorandom numbers that can be generated by the 3D data placement unit 15a using any position in the VR space 40, for example, a computer. It is arranged at the position decided based on it.

  A work procedure table 48 is also displayed on the VR video display unit 15c. Among the operations shown in the work procedure table 48, an order field and a work content field corresponding to a work to be estimated next are displayed in, for example, a network. Identification information such as a hook is shown. In this example, the work 48a of the work content “change screw” in order “3” is the work to be estimated. This identification information is shown in the next work column when the work estimation is completed.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S5, the result of estimating the work time using the work time estimation calculating device 1 is not satisfactory, and when the estimation is performed again, the 3D data creation unit 11 performs, for example, a factory layout. The data 10b, the jig data 10c, and the like are edited, and the arrangement of the virtual work table 41, the virtual work shelf 42, the virtual screw receiver 45, the electric driver 47, and the like in the VR space 40 is changed.

  In step S6, the 3D data arrangement unit 15a operates the virtual worker 43 in the VR space 40 based on the operation instruction data input by the work operation input unit 15b. The work motion input unit 15b is, for example, a body variation measurement device worn by an operator, and provides motion instruction data obtained by the operation of the operator to the 3D data arrangement unit 15a and the work motion measurement unit 15d. The operator confirms the operation of the virtual worker 43 in the VR space 40 displayed on the VR video display unit 15c, and performs the work to be estimated by the work procedure table 48 displayed on the VR video display unit 15c. Perform the operation. In this example, a plurality of operations shown in the operation procedure table 48, for example, operations such as taking out the screw 46 from the screw receiver 45 and tightening the screw using the electric screwdriver 47 are sequentially performed.

  The 3D data arrangement unit 15a operates the virtual worker 43 based on the operation instruction data provided from the work operation input unit 15b. The work motion measuring unit 15d calculates the position of each part of the worker's body based on the motion instruction data provided from the work motion input unit 15b.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the work operation input unit 15b illustrated in FIG. In this example, a body variation measuring device using an optical sensor is used as the work motion input unit 15b, and the optical sensor 51 is attached to the hand 50 of an actual worker. One optical sensor 51 is attached to each joint of the hand 50 and the tip of each finger. The joints of the hand 50 and the tips of the fingers to which the optical sensor 51 is attached correspond to the joints of the wrist 31, the joints below the wrist 31 and the tips of the fingers in the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. is doing.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a state before and after a part of the optical sensor 51 attached to the hand 50 shown in FIG. 8 moves. The optical sensor 52 has moved to the position of the optical sensor 52a, and the optical sensor 53 has moved to the position of the optical sensor 53a. The movement distances of the optical sensor 52 and the optical sensor 53 are ΔP and ΔC, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S <b> 7, each joint of the body of virtual worker 43 is calculated based on the movement amount of each joint and each tip position calculated by work movement measuring unit 15 d by body variation measuring unit 20. And the moving distance of each tip is calculated as an absolute moving distance. The absolute movement distance of each joint and each tip is obtained by calculating the distance that the optical sensor has moved from the coordinate position before the movement to the coordinate position after the movement in the three-dimensional VR space 40. For example, the movement distance ΔP and the movement distance ΔC shown in FIG. 8 are absolute movement distances.

In step S8, the variable distance calculation unit 21 calculates the relative movement distance of each joint and each tip for each joint and each tip in order from the top of the hierarchical structure according to the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. That is, the movement distance of the child joint relative to the parent joint is calculated as the relative movement distance from the relationship between the parent and child joints adjacent to each other in the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the optical sensor 52 of the parent joint moves to the position of the optical sensor 52a after the movement, and the optical sensor 53 of the child joint moves to the position of the optical sensor 53a after the movement, Equation (2) may be used as a mathematical expression for obtaining the relative movement distance. Here, the movement distance ΔP and the movement distance ΔC are absolute movement distances of the optical sensor 52 and the optical sensor 53, respectively.
Relative movement distance of child joint = ΔC−ΔP (2)
That is, the movement distance ΔP of the parent joint is subtracted from the movement distance ΔC of the child joint in the three-dimensional VR space 40.

  In step S9, the work time calculation unit 24 calculates the work time according to the relative movement distance of each part using the master table for each part stored in the master data storage unit 22, and the work time estimation result And Since the hip joint 30 is the uppermost part and the relative movement distance cannot be obtained, the absolute movement distance of the hip joint 30 is treated as the relative movement distance. Among the work times of each part of the virtual worker's body, the maximum work time is defined as the work time of the work. However, when there is a part where the operations are not parallel, for example, when there is a part where the operation is performed following the operation of another part, the time including the work time of these parts may be treated as the work time.

  In step S10, environmental parameters that cannot be expressed by the 3D data creation unit 11 in the VR space 40 displayed on the VR video display unit 15c, for example, the weight of the part, the volume of the part, the degree of sliding of the part, or the degree of slipping. The hardness of the part, the temperature of the part, the external dimensions of the part, the difficulty level of the work, and the like are set in the 3D data storage unit 10. By creating information indicating the relationship between the environmental parameter and the working time in the 3D data storage unit 10, the working time calculated in step S9 can be adjusted based on the set environmental parameter. If the environment of the VR space 40 is brought closer to the environment of the real space by adding gravity to the environment parameters and reflecting the movement of the belt conveyor of the line work in the VR space 40, the work time with higher accuracy can be obtained. Estimate is possible.

  In step S <b> 11, it is determined whether or not there is a next process, that is, an operation for which the operation time is not estimated, remaining in the assembly procedure table 48. When the work for which the work time is not estimated remains, the process returns to step S6 to estimate the work time for the next work. When there is no work for which the work time is not estimated, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the estimated work time is satisfactory. When the estimation result is not satisfactory, the process returns to step S3, the assembly procedure data 12a, the factory layout data 10b, the jig data 10c, etc. are edited and re-estimated. When the estimation result is satisfactory, the process proceeds to step S13. The determination of whether the estimated result is satisfactory may be made by, for example, comparing with a predetermined reference time and determining whether or not the reference time has been reached, and the estimated result is described above. It is possible to output to the output unit, determine whether the user is satisfied with the output, and instruct the determination result from the input unit described above. In step S13, the estimated work time is stored in the work time storage unit 25 in association with each work shown in the assembly procedure table 48, and the process ends.

  Since the assembly worker is a human being, there are variations in the operation of performing the work, and the work time varies depending on individual differences. Furthermore, when the assembly worker repeats the work, the work time is shortened by human learning ability. Therefore, considering these changes in work time, the average value of the work time when the work time estimation is repeated several times, the shortest work time among the work times when the work time estimation is repeated several times, Alternatively, the work time corresponding to the situation may be selected from the average value of the work time estimated for the assembly worker with early work and the assembly worker with late work.

  In this way, the virtual worker who operates in the virtual factory layout constructed in the virtual three-dimensional space is controlled based on the operation instruction data input by the body fluctuation measuring device, and each part of the virtual worker's body is controlled. Since the work time is calculated based on the relative movement distance, it is possible to prevent human errors and omissions that occur when the work time is estimated manually, and to estimate the correct work time.

  In other words, in the virtual three-dimensional space called virtual reality, that is, in the VR space, the operation of the worker who performs the work using the VR technology that makes the worker feel as if the product is actually being assembled. Since the movement distance of each part of the body obtained from the above is obtained and estimated using a table indicating the work time corresponding to the movement distance, an accurate work time without omission can be estimated.

  Furthermore, since the working time for producing the product can be accurately estimated before the product prototype is manufactured, it is possible to make a production plan for the factory and a human resource allocation plan systematically.

It is a functional block diagram of the working time estimation calculation apparatus 1 which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the assembly procedure table | surface used with the work time estimation calculation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example which represented the relationship of each site | part of an assembly worker's body with the hierarchical structure. It is a figure which shows an example of the master data memorize | stored in the master data storage part 22 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the master data memorize | stored in the master data storage part 22 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the work time estimation process which the work time estimate calculation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of VR space 40 displayed on the VR image | video display part 15c shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the work operation input part 15b shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed typically the state before and behind a part of optical sensor 51 with which the hand 50 shown in FIG. 8 moved.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work time estimation calculation apparatus 10 3D data storage part 11 3D data creation part 12 Assembly procedure storage part 13 Assembly procedure creation part 14 Assembly procedure edit part 15 VR space control part 15a 3D data arrangement | positioning part 15b Work operation input part 15c VR image display Unit 15d work movement measurement unit 20 body variation measurement unit 21 variation distance calculation unit 22 master data storage unit 23 master data creation unit 24 work time calculation unit 25 work time storage unit 30 waist joint 31 wrist joint 32 first joint of thumb 40 VR space 41 Work table 42 Work shelf 43 Virtual worker 44 Product 45 Screw receiver 46 Screw 47 Electric driver 48 Work procedure table 50 Worker's hand 51-53 Optical sensor

Claims (7)

Absolute movement distance calculation means for calculating the absolute movement distance that each part of the body of the virtual worker who performs the work for producing the product in the virtual three-dimensional space has moved;
Relative movement distance for calculating the relative movement distance of the part of interest with respect to the reference part for each part of the body of the virtual worker based on the absolute movement distance of each part calculated by the absolute movement distance calculation means Calculation means;
A work time estimation device comprising: work time calculation means for calculating a work time for performing work for producing the product based on the relative movement distance calculated by the relative movement distance calculation means. Environmental data storage means for storing product data relating to a product produced using a plurality of parts, part data relating to a part included in the product, and layout data relating to a layout of a production facility for producing the product;
Based on the layout data stored in the environmental data storage means, a virtual production facility is constructed in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the product data stored in the environmental data storage means is stored in the constructed virtual production facility. Virtual space control means for arranging a virtual product based on the virtual product, a virtual part based on the part data stored in the environment data storage means, and the virtual worker, and controlling the operation of the placed virtual worker When,
Display means for displaying the virtual production facility constructed by the virtual space control means, the virtual product arranged in the virtual production facility, the virtual component, and the virtual worker;
An operation input means for inputting operation instruction data for instructing the operation of the virtual worker;
Work time storage means for storing the work time calculated by the work time calculation means;
Output means for outputting the work time stored in the work time storage means,
In the movement of the virtual worker controlled by the virtual space control unit on the basis of the operation instruction data input by the operation input unit, the absolute movement distance calculation unit is configured so that each part of the body of the virtual worker is The working time estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the moved absolute movement distance is calculated. The environmental data storage means further stores jig data relating to a jig used when producing the product,
The virtual space control means arranges a virtual jig based on the jig data stored in the environmental data storage means in the virtual production facility,
The work time estimation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays a virtual jig arranged in the virtual production facility by the virtual space control unit. Work time data storage means for storing work time data indicating the work time corresponding to the relative movement distance calculated by the relative movement distance calculation means;
The work time according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the work time calculation means calculates the work time based on work time data stored in the work time data storage means. Estimating device. The part data stored in the environmental data storage means includes at least one data among data on the weight, slipping degree, hardness, temperature, external dimensions, and volume of the part,
The work time calculation means calculates the work time based on at least one of data relating to the weight, slip, hardness, temperature, external dimensions, and volume of a part included in the part data. The working time estimation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A work procedure data storage means for storing work procedure data relating to a work procedure indicating a plurality of work performed to produce the product and an order of the plurality of work;
The said work time calculation means calculates work time for every operation | work of the work procedure which the work procedure data memorize | stored in the said work procedure data storage means shows, It is any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Working time estimation device. The environmental data storage means stores data relating to the difficulty level of the plurality of tasks,
The work according to claim 6, wherein the work time calculation means calculates the work time based on a work difficulty indicated by data relating to the work difficulty stored in the environment data storage means. Time estimation device.

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