JP2007076885A - Position guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system allowing a worker in charge of delivery to specify an installation place of a part storage shelf easily. <P>SOLUTION: This position guide system 1 is provided with a data receiving terminal unit 3 for obtaining data indicating the content of placing order from an assembly factory and preparing data indicating kind and order of parts to be delivered (delivery part indicating data), a plurality of check terminal units 4 for indicating work order of delivery work based on the delivery part indicating data, and position guide devices 6 provided per check terminal unit 4 and guiding the worker in charge of delivery to a position of a part storage box for sorting and storing parts to be delivered per kind based on orders from the check terminal units 4. The position guide device 6 is composed of location guide lamps 12 provided per part storage box and a guide controller 11 for controlling operation of all the location guide lamps 12 in the position guide device 6. The guide controller 11 lets the location guide lamps 12 corresponding to kind of parts to be delivered emit light sequentially in accordance with the work order indicated by the check terminal units 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a position guidance system for guiding an appropriate component storage location from among a plurality of component storage locations to a worker by light emission.

As a form in which parts factories deliver parts to automobile manufacturers, what is called sequential delivery has become the mainstream.
Order delivery is an assembly factory that assembles a wide variety of vehicles on the same assembly line. Every time an automobile to be assembled is put into the assembly line, parts are ordered from the parts factory. Is delivered to the assembly plant. That is, the parts factory needs to deliver parts according to the type of automobile in the order in which they are ordered from the assembly factory.

The order delivery system will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the parts factory 200, an order delivery terminal 201 connected to the host computer 301 in the assembly factory 300 so as to be able to perform data communication, and a printer 202 connected to the order delivery terminal are installed. . When the order delivery terminal 201 acquires data indicating the order contents from the host computer 301 (hereinafter referred to as order data), the delivery list in which the delivery parts to be delivered are described in the order of order from the printer 202 based on the order data. L is printed.

As shown in FIG. 14, the delivery list L describes the input number (corresponding to the order of order), the product number corresponding to the input number (that is, the type of the delivered part), and the input time.
As shown in FIG. 15A, a parts storage box 220 for storing a delivery part 210 (floor carpet in the figure) is provided for each product number in the shipping preparation work place in the parts factory 200. , Confirm the product number in the delivery list L, search for the part storage box 220 having the same product number as the confirmed product number, take out the delivery part 210 from the part storage box 220 (pick), and load (set) the cart 230 ).

  In addition, the loading order of the delivery parts 210 is from the one with the largest input number. That is, the delivery parts 210 are stacked on the carriage 230 so that the delivery parts 210 having a large input number are arranged below. Thereby, in an automobile assembly factory, if an assembly operator takes stacked delivery parts from above, delivery parts can be taken out in the order in which they are ordered (that is, in the order of automobiles put on the assembly line).

  In addition, the delivery item 210 is affixed with a product list G (see FIG. 15B), and the delivery operator puts the tally label W of the product table G on the cart 230 when loading the delivery product 210 that has been taken out. Cut out from the perforation and paste it on the right side where the part number of the delivery list L is written. Then, the product numbers in the delivery list L and the product numbers in the tally label W are checked, and if they match, the delivery parts 210 are loaded onto the carriage 230.

  After that, when all the delivery parts 210 having the product numbers described in the delivery list L are loaded, the delivery worker collates the product numbers on the delivery list L with the product numbers on the tally label W again. Then, if the collated results match, the “No.” indicating confirmation is entered beside the product number of the delivery list L and the product number of the tally label W (see FIG. 15C), and the loading operation is completed. .

  Note that the order delivery system described above is general and corresponds to a publicly known / public technology, and therefore, prior art documents are not disclosed here.

  By the way, in such a sequential delivery system, the delivery operator needs to perform an operation of checking a product number in the delivery list L and searching for a parts storage shelf having the same product number as the confirmed product number as described above.

  However, there are a wide variety of parts to be delivered to automobile manufacturers. For this reason, the number of parts storage shelves also increases (for example, about 50, 60). Therefore, there is a problem that the delivery worker takes out a part from the wrong parts storage shelf and takes time to find the location of the parts storage shelf.

  In addition, if you are an expert in delivery work, you can find the location of parts storage shelves relatively quickly because you have a lot of storage locations based on your experience. Since many installation locations cannot be stored, it takes time to locate the parts storage shelf. That is, since the delivery work time varies depending on the skill level of the delivery work, there is a problem that it is difficult for the manager of the delivery work to uniformly estimate the delivery work time.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a position guidance system that enables a delivery worker to easily specify the installation location of a parts storage shelf.

  The present invention made to achieve the above object is a position guidance system for a plurality of types of delivered parts used in a parts factory in which the parts storage location of the delivered parts is set for each delivered part of the same type, An indicator lamp that is installed at each part storage location and emits light so that the position of the part storage location can be specified, the types of multiple delivery parts to be delivered, and the delivery order for delivering the delivered parts Type identification information storage means for acquiring delivery instruction information, type identification information storage means that is attached to each delivery part and stores type identification information indicating the type of the delivery part, and type identification information from the type identification information storage means Order determination that determines the take-out order, which is the order in which the delivery parts are taken out from the parts storage location, based on the reading means that reads the parts and the delivery instruction information obtained by the delivery instruction information obtaining means When the take-out order is determined by the stage and the order determining means, first, based on this take-out order, an indication of the indicator lamp device to be lighted first is made, and then the delivery indicated by the type identification information read by the reading means It is determined whether the type of the part matches the type of the delivered part corresponding to the indicator light device that is currently instructed to emit light. A device instruction means for instructing a next indicator light device to emit light, and a first light emission control means for causing the indicator light device instructed by the device instruction means to emit light in an order according to the determined extraction order; Features.

  In the position guidance system configured as described above, first, the delivery instruction information acquisition unit acquires the delivery instruction information. The order determining means determines the take-out order based on the delivery instruction information acquired by the delivery instruction information acquiring means. Thereafter, the device instructing means instructs the indicator lamp device to emit light first based on this take-out order, and then gives the type of delivered parts indicated by the type identification information read by the reading means and the light emission instruction at the present time. Each time it is determined whether or not the type of delivered parts corresponding to the indicator light device is matched, and every time it is judged that the types of delivered parts match, the order is determined according to the pick-up order determined by the order determining means. Then, the indicator lamp device to be lighted next is indicated. The first light emission control means causes the indicator lamp device instructed by the device instruction means to emit light.

  That is, in the position guidance system of the present invention, when the delivery instruction information acquisition means acquires the delivery instruction information, first, the indicator lamp device installed at the parts storage location of the delivery part that is the first in the take-out order emits light.

  Thereafter, the delivery operator takes out the delivered part from the parts storage location corresponding to the light emitting lamp device, and reads the type identification information stored in the type identification information storage means attached to the delivered part. Read by.

  If the type of delivered part indicated by the type identification information read by the reading means matches the type of delivered part corresponding to the indicator light device that is currently emitting light, the next extraction order The indicator lamp device corresponding to

  For this reason, the delivery worker can know the position of the parts storage place where the delivery parts to be taken out next are stored. Then, the delivery worker moves on to take out the next delivery part. Thereafter, the delivery worker takes out the delivered part from the parts storage location where the indicator lamp device emits light, and causes the reading means to read the type identification information stored in the type identification information storage means attached to the delivered part. You just need to repeat the process.

  Therefore, according to the position guidance system of the present invention, the position of the parts storage location where the delivery parts to be taken out at the present time are stored can be recognized by the light emission of the indicator lamp device installed in the parts storage location.

  That is, the delivery worker can easily specify the parts storage location by the light emission of the indicator lamp device. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the mistake that a component storage place is mistaken can be suppressed. In addition, the time required to specify the parts storage location can be shortened.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to store the position of the parts storage location in advance, the difference in time for searching for the parts storage location between the skilled person and the unskilled person is reduced. That is, since fluctuations in the delivery work time due to the skill level of the delivery worker can be suppressed, the delivery work manager can easily estimate the delivery work time uniformly regardless of the skill level of the delivery worker.

  In the position guidance system of the present invention, the indicator lamp device includes a light emitting means for emitting visually identifiable light, and a first signal input for externally inputting a device identification signal indicating a device identification number for identifying the device. And a plurality of first signal output units for outputting a device identification signal to the outside, and a first signal input for outputting the device identification signal input from the first signal input unit to each of the plurality of first signal output units. The output means, the identification number setting means for setting the device identification number, the device identification number indicated by the device identification signal input from the first signal input unit, the signal identification number, and the device identification number set by the identification number setting means As the setting identification number, an identification number determining means for determining whether or not the signal identification number and the setting identification number match, and an identification number determining means if the signal identification number and the setting identification number match. A second light emission control means for causing the light emission means to emit light when judged, and each of the plurality of indicator lamp devices is connected to the other through at least one of the first signal input section and the first signal output section. The first light emission control means connected to the indicator lamp device may output a device identification signal indicating a device identification number of the indicator lamp device designated by the device designation means to the first signal input unit.

  In the position guidance system configured as described above, first, in the indicator lamp device, the first signal input / output unit outputs the device identification signal input from the first signal input unit to each of the plurality of first signal output units. Further, the identification number determination means has a device identification number (signal identification number) indicated by the device identification signal input from the first signal input unit and a device identification number (set identification number) set by the identification number setting means. Determine whether you are doing it. The second light emission control means causes the light emission means to emit light when the identification number determination means determines that the signal identification number and the set identification number match.

  The first light emission control means outputs a device identification signal indicating the device identification number of the indicator lamp device instructed by the device instruction means to the first signal input unit. Further, each of the plurality of indicator lamp devices is connected to another indicator lamp device via at least one of the first signal input unit and the first signal output unit.

  That is, the device identification signal output from the first light emission control means is input to all the indicator lamp devices in the position guidance system. For this reason, the first light emission control means outputs a device identification signal to the first signal input unit, so that the signal light having the same signal identification number and the set identification number among the display light devices in the position guidance system. Only the device can emit light.

  In addition, each of the indicator lamp devices includes a plurality of first signal output units. That is, even if one first signal output unit is connected to the first signal input unit of another indicator lamp device, it is different from the already connected indicator lamp device via the remaining first signal output unit. It is possible to connect to the first signal input unit of the indicator light device. In other words, not only the serial type but also the star type can be connected, and the indicator lamp device in the position guidance system can be freely installed.

  Further, in the position guidance system of the present invention, each of the indicator lamp devices is provided with an extraction detection means for detecting the removal of the delivered parts from the parts storage place where the indicator lamp apparatus is installed, and the light emitting means is in a non-light emitting state. When a take-out detecting means of a certain indicator light device detects taking-out of a delivered part, it is preferable to provide a notifying means for making a notification in a predetermined notification mode set in advance.

  In the position guidance system configured as described above, when the delivered part is taken out from the parts storage location where the non-light emitting indicator lamp device is installed, the notification means notifies. For this reason, the delivery worker can know that the delivery parts have been taken out from the wrong parts storage location.

  In the position guide system of the present invention, the indicator lamp device emits light from the detection means for detecting the removal of the delivered part from the parts storage location where the indicator lamp device is installed, and the light emitting means of the device. In the meantime, when the take-out detection means detects removal of the delivered part, it outputs an electric signal having a preset first predetermined voltage value, and the take-out detection means delivers while the light emitting means of the device is in a non-light emitting state. It is preferable to provide second signal output means for outputting an electric signal having a second predetermined voltage value set in advance so as to be different from the first predetermined voltage value when the removal of the component is detected.

  In the position guidance system configured as described above, a signal indicating that the take-out detecting means detects the removal of the delivered part while the light emitting means of the device emits light, and the light emitting means of the device is in a non-light emitting state. It is possible to output a signal indicating that the take-out detecting means has detected taking-out of the delivered parts through one communication line. In addition, serial communication is well known as a signal output by a single communication line. However, in the present invention, since an electric signal having two different voltage values is output, a simpler configuration than serial communication is adopted. it can.

  By the way, a reflection type sensor, a transmission type sensor, a proximity sensor, and the like may be adopted as the above-described extraction detection unit. However, in the position guidance system of the present invention, the extraction detection unit is an operated part attached to the device. It is preferable to detect the removal of the delivered parts by detecting the operation on.

  In other words, before or after the delivery worker takes out the delivery parts from the parts storage location, the operated part attached to the device installed at the parts storage location is operated. As a result, it is possible to confirm whether or not the delivered parts have been taken out from the correct parts storage location. That is, the take-out detection means can be configured with a simple configuration of detecting an operation on the operated portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a position guidance system 1 to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, the position guidance system 1 includes an order delivery terminal 2 connected to a host computer (not shown) in an automobile assembly factory so as to be able to perform data communication, and an assembly received by the order delivery terminal 2. Data indicating the order contents from the factory (hereinafter referred to as order data) is acquired, and based on the acquired data, data indicating the type and order of delivered parts (hereinafter referred to as delivered part instruction data) is created. Provided for each check terminal 4, a plurality of check terminals 4 for receiving delivery part instruction data created by the data reception terminal 3, receiving delivery part instruction data created by the data reception terminal 3, and confirming delivery work based on the delivery part instruction data In accordance with a command from the check terminal 4, the position of the parts storage box 8 (see FIG. 2 (a)) for storing the delivered parts separately for each type is guided to the delivery worker. It consists of guiding device 6.

  Among these, the position guide device 6 is provided for each component storage box 8, and the location guide light 12 that emits light in a preset color (yellow in this embodiment) and all the location guide lights included in the position guide device 6. 12 and a guidance control device 11 for controlling the operation of 12.

  2A is a plan view showing the arrangement of the check terminal 4, the parts storage box 8 and the location guide lamp 12, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the parts storage box 8, and FIG. 2C is FIG. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section of ().

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the parts storage box 8 is a box whose upper surface is opened in a rectangular shape, and in this, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a vehicle floor carpet 15 is provided. They are stored vertically stacked.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a label 16 on which a product number of the vehicle floor carpet 15 and a barcode indicating the product number are written is attached to the vehicle floor carpet 15.
As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality (11 pieces in the figure) of component storage boxes 8 are arranged in a U-shape. Each component storage box 8 is disposed such that the side surface in the longitudinal direction faces the inside of the U-shape.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the location guide lamp 12 is installed on the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the parts storage box 8 facing the inside of the U-shape. As a result, the delivery worker inside the U-shape can look over all the location guide lights 12 installed in the parts storage box 8.

  Furthermore, the check terminal 4 is arrange | positioned at the said U-shaped opening part, as shown to Fig.2 (a). Further, a place for temporarily stopping the carriage 9 for loading and transporting the vehicle floor carpet 15 in the vicinity of the check terminal 4 is secured.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the check terminal 4 and the guidance control device 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the check terminal 4 includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as user I / F) 27 including an operation key 27a and a display panel 27b for inputting various preset information, and a bar code. It comprises a bar code reader 28 for reading, a speaker 29 for outputting sound, and a check terminal control unit 20 for controlling the operation of the entire check terminal 4.

  Among these, the check terminal control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 that executes processing based on a predetermined processing program, a ROM 22 that stores various processing programs, a RAM 23 that stores various data, the data receiving terminal 3 and the guidance. A communication unit 24 that performs data communication with the control device 11, and an input / output unit that is connected to the user I / F 27, the barcode reader 28, and the speaker 29 and inputs and outputs signals and data to and from the CPU 21 and RAM 23. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, communication unit 24 and input / output unit 25 are connected via a bus 26.

  The RAM 23 has a storage area for a guide lamp identification number correspondence list 23a for storing the guide lamp identification number set in the location guide lamp 12 and the type of delivered parts corresponding to the guide lamp identification number. .

In the check terminal 4 configured in this way, the CPU 21 executes a check process for checking whether or not the type and order of delivered parts are correct.
The guidance control device 11 includes a CPU 31 that executes processing based on a predetermined processing program, a ROM 32 that stores various processing programs, a RAM 33 that stores various data, and a check terminal control unit 20. The communication unit 34 for performing data communication and the input / output unit 35 for connecting the location guide lamp 12 and inputting / outputting signals and data to / from the CPU 31 and the RAM 33, and the CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and communication unit. 34 and the input / output unit 35 are connected via a bus 36.

  In the guidance control apparatus 11 configured as described above, the CPU 31 executes an output / transmission process for outputting a signal and transmitting information based on a command from the check terminal 4 and a signal from the location guide lamp 12.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the location guide lamp 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the location guide lamp 12 includes an address decoder 41 that decodes a guide lamp identification number from an input guide lamp number instruction signal (described later) and an address switch 43 that is operated when setting the guide lamp identification number. The guide light identification number decoded by the address decoder 41 is compared with the guide light identification number set by the address switch 43. If they match, the voltage value is 5V, and if they do not match, A comparator 42 that outputs an output signal having a voltage value of 0V, a lamp 44 that emits light when the comparator 42 outputs an output signal having a voltage value of 5V, an output signal from the comparator 42 (hereinafter referred to as a comparator output signal), and a circuit (not shown) Input an output signal (hereinafter referred to as a 2.5V output signal) with a voltage value of 2.5V output from the Then, a changeover switch 46 that outputs either the comparator output signal or the 2.5V output signal and an output signal from the changeover switch 46 (hereinafter referred to as a changeover switch output signal) are input and when pressed, the changeover switch A push button 45 for outputting an output signal, an input connector 47 for inputting a guide lamp number instruction signal from the outside of the location guide lamp 12 via a LAN cable, and a guide lamp number instruction signal via a LAN cable. It comprises two output connectors 48 and 49 for outputting to the outside of the lamp 12.

Among these, the changeover switch 46 is configured to output a comparator output signal when the voltage value of the comparator output signal is 5V and a 2.5V output signal when the voltage value is 0V.
The input connector 47 has input terminals 47a and 47b and output terminals 47c and 47d, and the input terminal 47a and the output terminal 47c are electrically connected and the input terminal 47b and the output terminal 47d are electrically connected. Yes.

  Similarly, the output connector 48 (49) has input terminals 48a (49a), 48b (49b) and output terminals 48c (49c), 48d (49d), and the input terminals 48a (49a) and 48c (49c). And the input terminal 48b (49b) and the output terminal 48d (49d) are electrically connected.

The output terminal 47c is electrically connected to the input section of the address decoder 41, the input terminal 48a, and the input terminal 49a.
The output terminal 47d is electrically connected to the output part of the push button 45, the input terminal 48b, and the input terminal 49b.

Here, the procedure of the check process executed by the CPU 21 of the check terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the check process. This check process
This process is started when delivery part instruction data is received from the data receiving terminal 3.

  When this check process is executed, the CPU 21 first determines the delivery order of delivered parts (floor carpet 15 in this embodiment) based on the received delivered parts instruction data in S10. In S20, the part number of the delivery part to be taken out is determined based on the delivery order of the delivery part decided in S10 and the delivery part already taken out, and the data stored in the guide light identification number correspondence list 23a The location guide lamp 12 corresponding to the determined part number of the delivered part is determined. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, a display for instructing the part number of the delivered part to be taken out is displayed on the display panel 27b.

  In the left column of the display screen of the display panel 27b, the part numbers of delivered parts to be taken out are displayed in the order of order from the automobile assembly factory. That is, the numbers “001”, “002”,..., “005” in the left column indicate the order of order, and “123”, “456”, “789” displayed on the right side of the numbers. The numbers indicate the types (part numbers) of delivered parts.

  The number displayed in the center of the display screen is for instructing the order of ordering and the part number of the delivery parts to be taken out now. In the figure, “004” as the order of delivery parts and “456” as the product number are displayed.

  In the right column of the display screen, the part numbers of delivered parts to be taken out are displayed in the order of taking out. That is, in the right column, numbers “005”, “004”,..., “001” are displayed from the top, indicating the order of ordering. Is displayed. That is, the delivery parts (floor carpet 15) are stacked on the carriage 9 so that the delivery parts (floor carpet 15) whose order is late are arranged below. As a result, in an automobile assembly plant, if an assembly operator picks up stacked delivery parts (floor carpet 15) from above, delivery parts (floor in order of cars put into the assembly line) are ordered. The carpet 15) is taken out.

In the right column of the display screen, the portions corresponding to the delivered parts that have already been removed (“005” and “789” in the figure) are highlighted.
When the process of S20 ends, in S30, a guide lamp number instruction command indicating a guide lamp identification number corresponding to the location guide lamp 12 determined in S20 is transmitted to the guidance control apparatus 11 via the communication unit 24.

  Thereafter, in S40, the process waits until receiving normal location information (described later) or abnormal location information (described later) is received from the guidance control device 11 via the communication unit 24. Then, when the extraction location normal information or the extraction location abnormality information is received, it is determined whether or not the extraction location normal information is received in S50.

  Here, when the extraction place normal information is received (S50: YES), the process proceeds to S70. On the other hand, if the extraction location normal information has not been received (S50: NO), it is determined that the extraction location abnormality information has been received, and in S60, a sound for notifying that the extraction location is incorrect is output from the speaker 29. When the audio output ends, the process proceeds to S30 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  When the process proceeds to S70, it waits until the bar code reader 28 reads the bar code written on the label 16 affixed to the taken-out floor carpet 15. When the bar code is read, the product number indicated by the read bar code is displayed. And whether the product number determined in S20 matches.

  If the part numbers of the delivered parts match (S70: YES), the process proceeds to S90. On the other hand, if the part numbers of the delivered parts do not match (S70: NO), a sound informing that the part number of the delivered parts is wrong is output from the speaker 29 in S80, and the sound output is completed. , The process proceeds to S30 and the above process is repeated.

  When the process proceeds to S90, it is determined whether or not all the instructions for the delivered parts indicated in the received delivered parts instruction data have been completed. Here, when all the instructions have not been completed (S90: NO), the process proceeds to S20 and the above process is repeated. On the other hand, when all the instructions are finished (S90: YES), the check process is finished.

  Here, the procedure of the output / transmission process executed by the CPU 31 of the guidance control apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the output / transmission process. This output / transmission process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the CPU 31 is activated (powered on).

  When this output / transmission process is executed, the CPU 31 first determines whether or not a guide lamp number instruction command is received from the check terminal 4 via the communication unit 34 in S210. If the guide lamp number instruction command is not received (S210: NO), the process proceeds to S230. On the other hand, when the guide lamp number instruction command is received (S210: YES), a guide lamp number instruction signal for instructing the location lamp identification number to the location guide lamp 12 is sent via the input / output unit 35 in S220. Output to the location guide lamp 12.

The guide lamp number instruction signal is an 8-bit serial signal for one cycle. That is, it is possible to indicate a guide lamp identification number from 1 to 256.
Then, in S230, it is determined whether or not a signal having a voltage value of 5V (that is, a comparator output signal) is input from the location guide lamp 12 via the input / output unit 35. Here, when a 5V signal is not input (S230: NO), the process proceeds to S250. On the other hand, when a 5V signal is input (S230: YES), in S240, normal location information indicating that the extraction location is correct is transmitted to the check terminal 4 via the communication unit 34, and the process proceeds to S250. .

  Then, in S250, it is determined whether or not a signal having a voltage value of 2.5V (that is, a 2.5V output signal) is input from the location guide lamp 12 via the input / output unit 35. Here, when the 2.5 V signal is not input (S250: NO), the output / transmission process is terminated. On the other hand, when a 2.5 V signal is input (S250: YES), in S260, the extraction location abnormality information indicating that the extraction location is incorrect is transmitted to the check terminal 4 via the communication unit 34, The output / transmission process ends.

  In the position guidance system 1 configured as described above, first, the communication unit 24 of the check terminal 4 acquires delivery part instruction data from the data receiving terminal 3. Then, based on the received delivery parts instruction data, the order of taking delivery parts is determined (S10). Thereafter, the location guide lamp 12 to be lighted first is determined based on the extraction order (S20), and then the product number indicated by the barcode read by the barcode reader 28 and the location guide lamp determined in S20. 12 is determined whether or not the product number corresponding to 12 is the same (S70). Each time it is determined that the product number matches (S70: YES), the location guidance for the next light emission in the order according to the extraction order determined in S10. The lamp 12 is determined (S20). In S30, a guidance lamp number instruction command indicating a guidance lamp identification number corresponding to the location guidance lamp 12 determined in S20 is transmitted to the guidance control device 11 via the communication unit 24.

  That is, in the position guidance system 1, when the communication unit 24 of the check terminal 4 acquires delivery part instruction data, it is first installed in the parts storage box 8 of the delivery part (vehicle floor carpet 15) that is the first in the take-out order. The location guide lamp 12 emits light.

  After that, the delivery operator takes out the delivery part from the parts storage box 8 corresponding to the location guide lamp 12 that emits light, and reads the barcode described on the label 16 attached to the delivery part to the barcode reader. 28.

  If the part number of the delivered part indicated by the barcode read by the barcode reader 28 matches the part number of the delivered part corresponding to the location guide light 12 that is currently emitting light, The location guide lamp 12 corresponding to the take-out order emits light.

  For this reason, the delivery worker can know the position of the parts storage box 8 in which the delivery parts to be taken out next are stored. Then, the delivery worker moves on to take out the next delivery part. Thereafter, the delivery operator takes out the delivery part from the parts storage box 8 where the location guide lamp 12 emits light, and causes the barcode reader 28 to read the barcode described on the label 16 attached to the delivery part. You just need to repeat the process.

  Therefore, according to the position guidance system 1, the position of the parts storage box 8 where the delivered parts to be taken out at the present time are stored can be recognized by the light emission of the location guide lamp 12 installed in the parts storage box 8. .

  That is, the delivery worker can easily specify the parts storage box 8 by the light emission of the location guide lamp 12. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the mistake that the component storage box 8 is mistaken can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to reduce the time required to specify the component storage box 8.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to store the position of the parts storage box 8 in advance, a difference in time for searching for the parts storage box 8 between the skilled person and the unskilled person is reduced. That is, since fluctuations in the delivery work time due to the skill level of the delivery worker can be suppressed, the delivery work manager can easily estimate the delivery work time uniformly regardless of the skill level of the delivery worker.

  Further, the barcode described on the label 16 attached to the delivered part is read by the barcode reader 28, and it is determined whether or not the product number indicated by the barcode matches the product number determined in S20. Then, every time it is determined that they match, the next location guide lamp 12 is caused to emit light, so that it is possible to prevent the delivery worker from loading the wrong delivery parts on the carriage 9.

  Further, the location guide lamp 12 outputs the guide lamp number instruction signal input from the input connector 47 to the output connectors 48 and 49, respectively. The comparator 42 also includes a guide lamp identification number (hereinafter referred to as a signal identification number) indicated by a guide lamp number instruction signal input from the input connector 47 and a guide lamp identification number (hereinafter referred to as setting identification) set by the address switch 43. And an output signal having a voltage value of 5V is output when the signal identification number matches the set identification number. Thereby, the lamp 44 emits light.

  Further, the guidance control device 11 outputs a guidance lamp number instruction signal indicating a guidance lamp identification number instructed by the guidance lamp number instruction command from the check terminal 4 to the input connector 47. Further, each of the plurality of location guide lights 12 is connected to the other location guide lights 12 via at least one of the input connector 47 and the output connectors 48 and 49.

  That is, the guide lamp number instruction signal output from the guidance control device 11 is input to all the location guide lamps 12 in the position guide system 1. For this reason, when the guidance control device 11 outputs a guidance lamp number instruction signal to the input connector 47, the location where the signal identification number and the set identification number coincide with each other from among the location guidance lamps 12 in the position guidance system 1. Only the guide lamp 12 can emit light.

  Each of the indicator lamp devices includes output connectors 48 and 49. That is, even if the output connector 48 is connected to the input connector 47 of another location guide light 12, the input connector of the location guide light 12 different from the already connected location guide light 12 through the output connector 49. 47 can be connected. That is, not only a serial type but also a star type can be connected, and the location guide lamp 12 in the position guide system 1 can be freely installed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the eight location guide lights 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, and 12h are “12a → 12b → 12c → 12d → 12e → 12f → 12g → 12h”. From the state of being connected in series in this order, the state of being connected in series in the order of “12a → 12g → 12c → 12d → 12e → 12f → 12b → 12h” as shown in FIG. When the arrangement is changed to a state in which the guide light 12b and the location guide light 12g are exchanged, the following work may be performed (note that the number (1) attached to each location guide light 12 in the figure. , 2, 3..., 8) are guide light identification numbers).

  That is, first, the arrangement of the location guide lamp 12b and the location guide lamp 12g is switched. Thereafter, the LAN connector connects between the input connector 47 of the location guide light 12g and the output connector 48 of the location guide light 12a, and between the output connector 48 of the location guide light 12g and the input connector 47 of the location guide light 12c. Are connected with a LAN cable. Further, a LAN cable connects between the input connector 47 of the location guide light 12b and the output connector 48 of the location guide light 12f, and between the output connector 48 of the location guide light 12b and the input connector 47 of the location guide light 12h. Are connected with a LAN cable. With the above operation, the arrangement change is completed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), eight location guide lights 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, and 12h are displayed as “12a → 12b → 12c → 12d → 12e → 12f → 12g → From the state of being connected in series in the order of “12h” (similar to FIG. 8A), for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the location guide light 12f is adjacent to the location guide light 12c and the location In order to change the position of the guide light 12g to be adjacent to the location guide light 12d, the following work may be performed.

  That is, first, the location guide lamp 12f is moved to a position adjacent to the location guide lamp 12c, and the location guide lamp 12g is moved to a position adjacent to the location guide lamp 12d. Thereafter, the LAN connector connects between the input connector 47 of the location guide lamp 12f and the output connector 49 of the location guide lamp 12b, and between the input connector 47 of the location guide lamp 12g and the output connector 48 of the location guide lamp 12f. Are connected with a LAN cable. Further, the input connector 47 of the location guide lamp 12h and the output connector 48 of the location guide lamp 12e are connected by a LAN cable. With the above operation, the arrangement change is completed.

  That is, when a certain location guide light 12 is moved, the input between the input connector 47 of this location guide light 12 (hereinafter referred to as a moving location guide light) and the output connectors 48 and 49 of other location guide lights 12 What is necessary is just to connect with a LAN cable.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, a control terminal 110 that controls the overall operation of the position guidance system 100 and a location guide light 120 attached to each part storage box 130 as a part storage place are wired independently. In this case, when the arrangement of the parts storage box 130 is changed, the location guide lamp 120 corresponding to the parts storage box 130 needs to be moved. However, it is necessary to change the arrangement of the wiring connected to the location guide lamp 120, and the operation of changing the arrangement of the parts storage box 130 is very troublesome. Such wiring work may be requested from a wiring company. However, if the arrangement of the parts storage box 130 is frequently changed, the expense for requesting increases. Depending on the convenience of the wiring contractor, there may be cases where the customer cannot respond promptly.

  On the other hand, in the position guide system 1, if only the arrangement of “connecting between the input connector 47 of the moving location guide light and the output connectors 48 and 49 of the other location guide lights 12” is remembered, Since it is possible to change the location of the location guide lamp 12 without requiring skill, it is possible to easily change the location by a person in the factory.

  On the other hand, in the position guidance system 100, a method of changing the arrangement of the parts storage box 130 without changing the position of the location guide lamp 120 is also conceivable. That is, the control program stored in the control terminal 110 is changed and the correspondence relationship between the parts storage box 130 and the location guide lamp 120 is reset. However, it is necessary to secure personnel familiar with the control program change work at the own factory or to ask the system contractor who built the system, and there is an expense to cope with the work for changing the arrangement of the parts storage box 130. Become more. Also, depending on the circumstances of the system vendor, there may be cases where it is not possible to respond promptly. On the other hand, in the position guidance system 1, the location change work of the location guide lamp 12 can be easily performed, so that it is not necessary to adopt a method of changing the control program at the time of the placement change work. That is, it is not necessary to secure personnel who are familiar with the control program change work in the own factory or to request the system supplier who built the system.

  In the position guidance system 1, when the push button 45 in the non-light emitting location guide lamp 12 is pressed, the speaker 29 notifies that the takeout location is incorrect. For this reason, the delivery operator makes a mistake by pressing the push button 45 attached to the location guide lamp 12 installed in the parts storage box 8 before or after taking out the delivered parts from the parts storage box 8. When the delivered part is taken out from the parts storage box 8, it can be known. In other words, the delivery operator can check whether or not the delivery parts have been taken out from the correct parts storage box 8. Further, it is possible to configure a means for detecting the removal of the delivered part from the parts storage box 8 with a simple configuration of detecting an operation on the push button 45.

  Further, when the push button 45 is pressed while the lamp 44 is emitting light, the location guide lamp 12 outputs an output signal having a voltage value of 5 V, while the lamp 44 is not emitting light. When 45 is pressed, an output signal having a voltage value of 0 V is output.

  For this reason, a signal indicating that a delivery part has been removed from the correct parts storage box 8 and a signal indicating that a delivery part has been removed from the wrong parts storage box 8 are output via a single communication line. It can be carried out. Although serial communication is well known as a signal output by one communication line, the location guide lamp 12 outputs electric signals having two different voltage values, so that the configuration is simpler than that of serial communication. Can be adopted.

  In the embodiment described above, the location guide lamp 12 is the indicator lamp device in the present invention, the communication unit 24 is the delivery instruction information acquisition means in the present invention, the label 16 is the type identification information storage means in the present invention, and the bar code reader 28 is the book. The reading means in the present invention, the processing in S10 is the order determining means in the present invention, the processes in S20, S30, S70 and S90 are the apparatus indicating means in the present invention, and the guidance control apparatus 11 is the first light emission control means in the present invention, the parts storage box. Reference numeral 8 denotes a parts storage location in the present invention, delivery parts instruction data is delivery instruction information in the present invention, and a bar code is type identification information in the present invention.

  The lamp 44 is the light emitting means in the present invention, the input connector 47 and the output connectors 48 and 49 are the first signal input / output means in the present invention, the address switch 43 is the identification number setting means in the present invention, and the comparator 42 is the identification in the present invention. The number judging means and the second light emission control means, the input connector 47 is the first signal output section in the present invention, the output connectors 48 and 49 are the first signal output section in the present invention, and the guide lamp identification number is the apparatus identification number in the present invention. is there.

  Further, the push button 45 is the take-out detecting means in the present invention, the processing of S50, S60 and S230 to S260 is the notifying means in the present invention, the changeover switch 46 and the push button 45 are the second signal output means in the present invention, the first predetermined voltage. The value is the voltage value of the comparator output signal in the present invention, and the second predetermined voltage value is the voltage value of the 2.5 V output signal in the present invention.

As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, As long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention, a various form can be taken.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the delivery parts are taken out from the parts storage box 8, the parts storage box 8 in which the delivery parts to be taken out are stored is guided to the delivery worker. However, when storing delivered parts in the parts storage box 8, the parts storage box 8 corresponding to the delivered parts to be stored may be used to guide the storage operator.

  For example, a bar code reader reads a bar code written on a label affixed to a delivery part to be stored (or a bar code written on a label affixed to a return box on which the delivery part to be stored is loaded) Then, the type of the delivered part is identified from the read barcode, and the location guide lamp 12 attached to the parts storage box 8 corresponding to the delivered part type may be caused to emit light.

  By doing so, the storage operator can easily specify the parts storage box 8 in which the delivered parts are to be stored, so that the efficiency of the storage work can be improved. Moreover, it can suppress that the situation where the wrong kind of delivery parts mix in the components storage box 8 generate | occur | produces.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the delivery worker in the vicinity of the check terminal 4 showed what the parts storage box 8 was arrange | positioned so that the location guide lights 12 of all the parts storage boxes 8 could be looked over. .

  However, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when viewed from the vicinity of the check terminal 4, the parts storage box hidden behind the parts storage box 8 (see the parts storage box group 8 a) arranged at the front is arranged behind the parts storage box 8. In some cases, the parts storage box 8 is disposed so that the location guide lamp 12 attached to the parts 8 (see the parts storage box groups 8b and 8c) cannot be visually recognized by the delivery operator.

  In such a case, if the parts storage box group 8b and the parts storage box group 8c are not moved to the vicinity, the location guide lights 12 of the parts storage box 8 belonging to either the parts storage box group 8b or the parts storage box group 8c are used. It is not possible to determine whether or not is emitting light.

  Therefore, when the location guide lights 12 belonging to the parts storage box groups 8b and 8c emit light in the vicinity of the parts storage box group 8b and the parts storage box group 8c, the representative guide lights 17 that emit light to indicate that fact. It is good to install. It should be noted that the representative guide lamp 17 is preferably installed at a higher position than the parts storage box 8 so that the light emission of the representative guide lamp 17 cannot be visually recognized because it is hidden behind the parts storage box group 8a.

  In this way, the delivery worker in the vicinity of the check terminal 4 can grasp the approximate position of the location guide lamp 12 that is emitting light by the emission of the representative guide lamp 17.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is shown that whether or not the take-out location is correct is determined by pressing the push button 45. However, a sensor may be attached to the component storage box 8 and the determination may be made based on the detection result of the sensor.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a well-known reflective sensor 19 may be attached to the inside of the component storage box 8. That is, when the delivery worker takes out the delivery part from the parts storage box 8, when the light receiving element of the reflective sensor 19 detects the light reflected from the light emitting element of the reflective sensor 19 and hitting the delivered part, It is determined that the delivered part has been removed from the parts storage box 8.

  Further, instead of the reflective sensor 19, a known transmissive sensor or proximity sensor may be attached.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a position guidance system 1. FIG. The top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the check terminal 4, the components storage box 8, and the location guide light 12, the perspective view of the components storage box 8, and sectional drawing of the components storage box 8. FIG. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the check terminal 4 and the guidance control apparatus 11. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the location guide lamp 12. FIG. The flowchart which shows a check processing procedure. The flowchart which shows an output / transmission processing procedure. The figure for demonstrating the display screen of the display panel 27b, and the barcode stuck on the floor carpet 15 for vehicles. The figure for demonstrating the arrangement change of the location guide lamp 12. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning change of another location guide light 12. FIG. The top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the check terminal 4, the components storage box 8, and the location guide light 12 for demonstrating the representative guide light 17. FIG. The perspective view and sectional drawing of the components storage box 8 for demonstrating the attachment position of the reflection type sensor 19. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the wiring method between the control terminal 110 and the indicator lamp 120. FIG. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the conventional sequential delivery system. The figure for demonstrating the description content of the delivery list | wrist L. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the procedure of delivery work.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Position guidance system, 2 ... Order delivery terminal, 3 ... Data receiving terminal, 4 ... Check terminal, 6 ... Position guidance device, 8 ... Parts storage box, 9 ... Dolly, 11 ... Guidance control device, 12 ... Location guidance light , 15 ... Vehicle floor carpet, 16 ... Label, 17 ... Representative guide light, 19 ... Reflective sensor, 20 ... Check terminal controller, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 23a ... Guide light identification number correspondence List, 24 ... Communication unit, 25 ... Input / output unit, 26 ... Bus, 27 ... User I / F, 27a ... Operation key, 27b ... Display panel, 28 ... Bar code reader, 29 ... Speaker, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 33 ... RAM, 34 ... communication unit, 35 ... input / output unit, 36 ... bus, 41 ... address decoder, 42 ... comparator, 43 ... address switch, 44 ... lamp, 45 ... push Button, 46 ... selector switch, 47 ... input connector, 48, 49 ... output connector.

Claims (5)

For multiple types of delivered parts, a position guidance system used in a parts factory where the parts storage location of the delivered parts is set for each delivered part of the same type,
An indicator lamp device that is installed for each part storage location and emits light so that the position of the part storage location can be specified;
A delivery instruction information acquisition means for acquiring delivery instruction information for identifying a plurality of types of delivery parts to be delivered and a delivery order for delivering the delivery parts;
A type identification information storage means that is attached to each delivered part and stores type identification information indicating the type of the delivered part,
Reading means for reading type identification information from the type identification information storage means;
Order determining means for determining a take-out order, which is an order for taking out delivery parts from the parts storage location, based on the delivery instruction information acquired by the delivery instruction information acquiring means;
When the take-out order is determined by the order determining means, first, based on this take-out order, the indicator lamp device to be first lit is indicated, and then the delivery indicated by the type identification information read by the reading means It is determined whether or not the type of part matches the type of delivered part corresponding to the indicator device that is currently instructed to emit light, and the order is determined each time it is judged that the type of delivered part matches. Device indicating means for instructing the indicator lamp device to emit light next in an order according to the extraction order determined by the means;
First light emission control means for causing the indicator lamp device instructed by the device instruction means to emit light;
A position guidance system comprising: The indicator lamp device is
A light emitting means for emitting visually distinguishable light;
A first signal input unit for inputting a device identification signal indicating a device identification number for identifying the device from the outside; and a plurality of first signal output units for outputting the device identification signal to the outside. First signal input / output means for outputting the device identification signal input from a signal input unit to each of the plurality of first signal output units;
Identification number setting means for setting the device identification number;
The device identification number indicated by the device identification signal input from the first signal input unit is a signal identification number, the device identification number set by the identification number setting means is a setting identification number, and the signal identification number and the setting identification number Identification number judging means for judging whether or not matches,
Second light emission control means for causing the light emission means to emit light when the identification number determination means determines that the signal identification number and the set identification number match;
Consisting of
Each of the plurality of indicator lamp devices is connected to the other indicator lamp devices via at least one of the first signal input unit and the first signal output unit,
The first light emission control means includes
Outputting a device identification signal indicating the device identification number of the indicator light device instructed by the device instruction means to the first signal input unit;
The position guiding system according to claim 1. Each of the indicator lamp devices includes an extraction detection means for detecting the removal of delivered parts from the parts storage location where the indicator lamp device is installed,
When the take-out detecting means of the indicator lamp device in which the light-emitting means is in a non-light-emitting state detects taking-out of a delivery part, the light-emitting means includes a notifying means for notifying in a predetermined notification mode set in advance.
The position guiding system according to claim 2. The indicator lamp device is
Take-out detection means for detecting the removal of delivered parts from the parts storage location where the indicator light device is installed;
While the light emitting means of the apparatus emits light, when the take-out detecting means detects the removal of the delivered part, it outputs an electric signal having a preset first predetermined voltage value, and the light emitting means of the apparatus A second signal output that outputs an electrical signal having a second predetermined voltage value preset in advance so as to be different from the first predetermined voltage value when the take-out detecting means detects removal of a delivered part while the light emitting device is in a non-light emitting state. Means,
The position guidance system according to claim 2, further comprising: The removal detection means includes
Suppose that the removal of delivered parts is detected by detecting the operation on the operated part attached to the device.
The position guidance system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above.

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