JP2007293551A - Mobile device group control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load of a controller, to quickly take countermeasures to the change of the layout of an operation area or of equipment, and to achieve an efficient operation without generating any delay, in a mobile device group control system equipped with a plurality of autonomous mobile devices and a controller for controlling them. <P>SOLUTION: The moving device group control system 1 is provided with: a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2; and a controller 3 for controlling the autonomous mobile devices 2, and a specific operation area 4 is set in an operation region 10 where the autonomous mobile devices 2 operate. The controller 3 removes the autonomous mobile devices 2 which are present in the operation area 4 from an object to which operation instruction information is assigned, and an object for predicting the mutual interference of the autonomous mobile devices 2, and performs the movement control of the autonomous mobile devices 2. Thus, it is necessary for the controller 3 only to perform control excluding the operation area 4. The load of the controller 3 is thereby reduced to achieve efficiency of control, and the layout or equipment of the operation area 10 is easily changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile device group control system including a plurality of autonomous mobile devices and a control device that controls these autonomous mobile devices.

Conventionally, as a part of automation and labor saving in production processing factories and the like, a mobile device group control system has been developed that controls a plurality of autonomously moving mobile devices and makes them carry materials and products. It is used. By the way, in this type of system, a plurality of autonomous mobile devices are operating simultaneously, and it is important to efficiently prevent collisions and interference between the devices. In view of this, a system in which each mobile device travels while detecting a node provided on the travel route, and a collision node that may cause a collision is determined in advance corresponding to each part of the travel route, and the travel of a mobile device is performed. Some have been proposed that prohibit the entry of other mobile devices to the collision node of the road (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3013360

  However, in the system shown in Patent Document 1 described above, the control device that controls each mobile device prevents the collision between the devices based on the collision table that stores the collision nodes that may cause a collision. There is a problem that the load on the control device increases rapidly as the system scale increases.

  Generally, as the number of autonomous mobile devices increases, for example, the collision table to be processed by the control device becomes larger, the rules for collision avoidance become more complicated, and the amount of communication with each autonomous mobile device increases. In a system in which a control device controls such a plurality of mobile devices, it is difficult to quickly respond to changes in the layout of the operation area, changes in equipment, and the like.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and can reduce the load on a control device that controls a plurality of autonomous mobile devices, and can respond quickly to changes in the layout of the operating area and equipment and efficiency without delay. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile device group control system that can realize a typical operation.

  To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a mobile device group control system comprising a plurality of autonomous mobile devices and a control device that controls these autonomous mobile devices, wherein the autonomous mobile device includes the control device. A map including communication means for receiving operation instruction information from the apparatus and transmitting operation information including its own position to the control apparatus, traveling means for traveling, and information on a specific work area set in the operation area Travel control means for storing the information and controlling the travel means on the basis of the map information and the operation instruction information obtained by the communication means, the control device comprising the operation information from the autonomous mobile device Receiving communication and transmitting operation instruction information to the autonomous mobile device, and operation instruction means for generating the operation instruction information. The working area in consideration of a prediction result by the moving path interference prediction unit, and a moving path interference prediction unit that predicts the interference of the moving paths between the autonomous mobile devices based on the operation information of each autonomous mobile device obtained by An operation assigning unit that generates operation instruction information for each autonomous mobile device so that a plurality of autonomous mobile devices are not assigned to each autonomous mobile device and assigns the information to each autonomous mobile device. The autonomous mobile device in the work area is excluded from the target of interference prediction by the movement path interference prediction unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the mobile device group control system according to the first aspect, when the movement of the autonomous mobile device within the work area is a one-way movement, A plurality of autonomous mobile devices can be allocated in duplicate.

  The invention of claim 3 is the mobile device group control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the autonomous mobile device communicates with a control device different from the control device when entering the work area. Is what you do.

  According to the invention of claim 1, an autonomous mobile device that sets a specific work area in the operation area of the autonomous mobile device and is located in the work area from the target of interference prediction by the movement path interference prediction unit in the operation instruction means of the control device Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the control device and to improve the efficiency of the control, and thus it is possible to realize an efficient operation without delay. In addition, since the control device only needs to perform control excluding the work area, there is little change in the data and processing program handled by the control device in response to changes in the layout of the operating area and changes in equipment, and quick response to changes. Is possible.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the processing capability of the mobile device group control system can be improved by allocating a plurality of devices to a work area that does not collide even when a plurality of autonomous mobile devices work.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the control of the system can be hierarchized to allow each control device to perform distributed processing, it is possible to reduce the load on the control device and achieve efficient operation without delay.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a mobile device group control system including a plurality of autonomous mobile devices and a control device that controls these autonomous mobile devices according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 shows a concept of a mobile device group control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a block configuration of an autonomous mobile device 2 in the system 1, and FIG. 3 shows a control device in the system 1. 3 shows a block configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device group control system 1 includes a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 and a control device 3 that controls these autonomous mobile devices 2, and an operating area 10 in which the autonomous mobile device 2 operates. A specific work area 4 is set in FIG. And the control apparatus 3 is reducing the load of the control apparatus 3 by removing the autonomous mobile apparatus 2 in the work area 4 from the object of a process as shown below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the autonomous mobile device 2 described above receives the operation instruction information from the control device 3 and transmits the operation information including its own position to the control device 3 by radio, and the obstacle. An obstacle detection unit 12 for detecting, an operation interface unit 13 for displaying operation information and receiving operation instruction information to itself, a traveling unit 14 for traveling, and a setting in the operation area 10 The travel control means 15 stores the map information including the information of the specified work area 4 and controls the travel means 14 based on the map information and the operation instruction information obtained by the communication means 11 or the operation interface means 13. And.

  In more detail, the travel control means 15 determines the travel route based on the storage unit 15a for storing the above-described map information and various parameters for travel, the operation instruction information from the control device 3, and the map information. A route generation unit 15b to be generated and a travel control unit 15c to control the travel unit 14 are provided.

  The operation instruction information includes destination information, and the route generation unit 15b generates a travel route to the destination. The traveling control unit 15c moves the traveling unit 14 based on the operation instruction information so as to move to the destination according to the travel route generated by the route generating unit 15b while avoiding the obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting unit 12. Control. The traveling unit 14 includes, for example, a battery 14a, a motor, and driving wheels, and the autonomous mobile device 2 travels by driving the driving wheels by a motor driven by the battery 14a.

  The obstacle detection means 12 described above includes, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or a laser radar to detect an obstacle. Also, the obstacle detection unit 12 compares the map information stored in the storage unit 15a with the environmental information such as the position of a predetermined wall and the position of the target object to be compared with the map information in order to acquire the self-position information. To get. In order to acquire this environmental information, you may provide an environmental information acquisition means separately, for example. The obstacle detection unit 12 or the environmental information acquisition unit provided separately extracts, for example, an imaging device that captures an image of the environment on the moving path and an object having a predetermined attribute by performing arithmetic processing on the captured image information. Self-contained image recognition processing means, a distance measuring device for measuring the distance to the object existing in the environment on the moving path and the direction of the object, and a distance information analyzing means for computing the measured distance information. Acquire environmental information used for position recognition.

  The self-position is obtained by comparing the environmental information and the map information. In addition, for example, by providing the traveling means 14 with an encoder, a built-in gyro, and the like, it is possible to estimate the position on the map during movement by using so-called dead reckoning. Good. Further, the self-position estimation value by dead reckoning may be corrected using the self-position information obtained based on the environment information.

  From the environmental information, self-location information is obtained as follows. For example, a sign that can be recognized by the obstacle detection means 12 or the environment information acquisition means is set in advance in the operating environment, and the sign is registered in the map information, so that the sign is moved to the environment during movement. It can be recognized as information and used as self-location information. The traveling control unit 15c searches for a registered sign on the map based on the sign position information based on the sent relative position with reference to its estimated position. When a sign is detected, self-position recognition can be performed from the relative position information with reference to the position of the sign. If two or more labels can be detected, the self-position is uniquely determined.

  Also, the obstacle detection means 12 detects an obstacle during movement and sends its position information to the traveling control unit 15c, and the traveling control unit 15c corrects the movement path so as to avoid the obstacle, and outputs a control output. Is sent to the traveling means 14. As described above, the autonomous mobile device 2 travels to the destination according to the travel route while avoiding obstacles while recognizing its own position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 3 receives the operation information from the autonomous mobile device 2 and transmits the operation instruction information to the autonomous mobile device 2, and the operation instruction means 17 that generates the operation instruction information. It is equipped with. The operation instruction means 17 includes a movement path interference prediction unit 30 that predicts interference between movement paths of each autonomous mobile device 2 based on the operation information of each autonomous mobile device 2 obtained by the communication means 16, and a movement path interference prediction. In consideration of the prediction result by the unit 30, operation instruction information for each autonomous mobile device 2 is generated so that a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 are not assigned to each work area 4, and the information is An operation assigning unit 31 assigned to the mobile device 2 is included. Further, the operation instruction means 17 of the control device 3 stores information relating to the operation area 10 such as information on the work area 4 and node information described later, and information necessary for controlling each autonomous mobile device 2. .

  Next, the operating environment and operation of the autonomous mobile device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of the operating environment of the autonomous mobile device 2 to which the mobile device group control system 1 of the present invention is applied. The operating environment of this example includes parts supply equipment 5, processing equipment 6 for processing the parts, collection equipment 7 for collecting processed products, destination 20 set before each equipment, Nodes 21 that are set at important points so as to connect the destinations 20 to each other are set and configured. The travel route is generated as a route connecting the destination 20 and each node 21 by the route generation unit 15b.

  The operating area of the autonomous mobile device 2 that operates under the operating environment as described above is an area including the destination 20 and each node 21, and the direction change provided around these and other autonomous mobile devices 2 is set as a whole area including an area provided for crossing with 2, collision avoidance, standby, and the like.

  In the mobile device group control system 1 of the present invention, these operating areas are, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the work area 4 set on the front surface of the processing equipment 6 (the surface on the loading / unloading side), and the other And a general traveling area 41. The work area 4 is an area where only one autonomous mobile device 2 is operated, and the general traveling area 41 is an area where a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 can operate, that is, can travel. A work area end node 22 (described later) is provided at the boundary of the work area 4 with the general travel area 41 side.

  The operation of the autonomous mobile device 2 is to receive parts from the supply equipment 5 and carry them into the processing equipment 6, to receive the processed parts from the processing equipment 6 and carry them into the collection equipment 7, and to receive each equipment. It consists of an operation to go, an instruction waiting operation before going to receive, an obstacle avoidance operation while moving, and the like. These operations include, for example, an operation performed autonomously such as autonomous driving and obstacle avoidance, an operation performed by an instruction based on operation instruction information from the control device 3 such as reception and forced standby, and an operation interface operated directly by the user The operation is performed according to an instruction based on the operation instruction information from the means 13.

  The control device 3 receives device state information from the respective facilities 5, 6, and 7 under the above operating environment, and a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 are deadlocked due to interference with other autonomous mobile devices 2. The autonomous mobile device 2 is controlled so as to operate safely and efficiently as a whole. Interference between the autonomous mobile devices 2 occurs when trying to pass through an intersection where the movement paths intersect each other at approximately the same time. Further, the interference between the autonomous mobile devices 2 also occurs when the autonomous mobile devices 2 travel in opposite directions opposite to each other in parallel overlapping portions, that is, the same route.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the above-described interference of the movement path, the prediction of the interference by the movement path interference prediction unit 30, and the generation and allocation of the operation instruction information by the operation allocation unit 31 when interference occurs will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of the movement status of the movement route in the operating environment to which the mobile device group control system 1 is applied, the intersection X of the movement route, and the movement status of the autonomous mobile device 2 (A, B in the figure). Nodes 21 (a to h in the figure) that limit the movement route are defined in a planar space that is restricted by an inaccessible area W such as an obstacle or a wall or an open planar space.

  Each of the autonomous mobile devices A and B is given a destination, and by connecting these preset nodes, for example, the autonomous mobile devices A and B generate their own travel route from the standby position to the destination and avoid obstacles. However, it moves to the destination along the movement route. For example, the movement route of the autonomous mobile device A is a → b → g → h, and the movement route of the autonomous mobile device B is d → c → f → e. Then, when the movement routes b → g and the route c → f intersect and the autonomous mobile devices A and B try to pass through the intersection X almost simultaneously, the avoidance operation for avoiding this intersection (interference). Is required.

  The movement route interference prediction unit 30 of the control device 3 extracts another autonomous mobile device 2 that moves along a movement route that intersects the movement route of each autonomous mobile device 2, and predicts interference. For this extraction, the movement path interference prediction unit 30 first detects the presence or absence of a movement path intersection as follows. The autonomous mobile device 2 transmits its own position and the node 21 (or the destination 20, the same applies hereinafter) that it is heading to the control device 3 at a predetermined frequency or as operation information as necessary. Therefore, the movement path interference prediction unit 30 of the control device 3, for example, coordinates of the current location of the autonomous mobile device A (xa 1, ya 1) and the coordinates of the current node or destination (xa 2) based on each operation information. It is detected whether or not the line segment connecting ya2) and the line segment connecting similar coordinates (xb1, yb1) and (xb2, yb2) of the autonomous mobile device B intersect, that is, whether the movement paths intersect.

  The detection of the intersection of the movement routes may be performed for the route from the current location to the next node 21 or the route to the further node 21. As a result of the detection of the intersection of the movement paths, the autonomous mobile device 2 in which interference is predicted is extracted. For example, in the situation of FIG. 5, another autonomous mobile device B that moves on the travel route c → f that intersects the travel route b → g of the autonomous mobile device A at the intersection X is extracted. The same thing can be expressed that the autonomous mobile device A is extracted from the autonomous mobile device B.

  As described above, when the autonomous mobile devices A and B that intersect with each other are extracted, the travel route interference prediction unit 30 calculates the time for the both autonomous mobile devices A and B to reach the intersection X. Then, it is determined whether or not the time is within a predetermined time, and when it is determined that the time to reach the intersection X is within the predetermined time, it is predicted that interference occurs. The movement path interference prediction unit 30 performs such interference prediction for all combinations of the autonomous mobile devices 2 that are likely to intersect with each other with no overlap. The autonomous mobile device 2 to be predicted can include the autonomous mobile device 2 that is stopped and waiting for a travel start instruction.

  Further, as described above, the movement path interference prediction unit 30 excludes the autonomous mobile device 2 in the work area 4 from the interference prediction target, and performs interference prediction. As for the interference at the passing position in the autonomous mobile device 2 that travels in the opposite directions on the narrow moving paths that cannot pass each other, the interference prediction and the subsequent avoidance process (below) are performed as in the intersection X. Done.

  When the autonomous mobile device 2 in which interference is predicted is extracted, such as the autonomous mobile devices A and B, the operation allocating unit 31 of the control device 3 determines which one to move first and moves each autonomous move Operation instruction information is generated and assigned to cause the apparatus 2 to start and stop movement. For this reason, the motion allocation unit 31 performs the following interference avoidance process for all combinations of the autonomous mobile devices 2 that are determined to have crossed routes. For example, the motion allocating unit 31 calculates the time for each of the autonomous mobile devices A and B to reach the intersection X, and when the times are close, based on a preset priority criterion. Then, it decides to stop either of the autonomous mobile devices A and B, that is, generates operation instruction information. Instead of the time to reach the intersection X, the distance to the intersection X may be used.

  After making such a determination for all combinations of intersection routes where interference is predicted, the motion allocation unit 31 issues a stop instruction or a continuation instruction to the autonomous mobile device 2 where the interference is predicted. This is assigned together with a traveling instruction to the autonomous mobile device whose route does not intersect and waiting for start. The control device 3 transmits operation instruction information including these instructions to each autonomous mobile device 2. In this way, the control device 3 controls each autonomous mobile device 2.

  Next, the manner in which the autonomous mobile device 2 operates while avoiding these deadlocks and the like under the control of the control device 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 show flowcharts of operations of the control device 3 and the autonomous mobile device 2 in the mobile device group control system 1, respectively.

  First, the operation of the control device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As the operation starts, the control device 3 acquires the status information of each of the facilities 5, 6, and 7 via the communication unit 16 or the wired communication unit, and transmits the component supply preparation completion signal of the supply facility 5 and the processing facility 6. The presence / absence of a supply request signal, a collection preparation completion signal of the collection facility 7 and the like are checked (# 1).

  In addition, the control device 3 acquires operation information including position information of each autonomous mobile device 2 via the communication means 11 and 16, and the position, destination, and transported object information (for example, an empty vehicle, a pre-processing part). , And the operation state including information on whether or not the machine is moving (# 2).

  At this time, the operation instruction means 17 of the control device 3 determines whether each autonomous mobile device 2 is in the work area 4 and stores the result. Whether or not the autonomous mobile device 2 is in the work area 4 is determined geometrically by, for example, setting the outline point of each work area 4 in advance using the XY coordinate system set in the operating area of the autonomous mobile device 2. . For example, when the work area 4 is a quadrangle parallel to the XY coordinate axes, the work area 4 is surrounded by four coordinates (x0, y0), (x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3) indicating the vertex of the quadrangle. It can be determined by whether there is a coordinate point of its own position transmitted from the autonomous mobile device 2 in the square. The determination result is transmitted from the control device 3 to the autonomous mobile device 2 as one piece of operation instruction information. As another method, this determination and transmission are not performed by the control device 3, but a determination is made as to which work area 4 is on the autonomous mobile device 2 side, and the result is transmitted from the autonomous mobile device 2 side to the control device. 3 may be communicated.

  The determination as to whether or not the autonomous mobile device 2 is in the work area 4 is performed if the autonomous mobile device 2 is in the work area 4 and is in a state where it can move outside the work area 4. Is determined as “the autonomous mobile device 2 is outside the work area 4”.

  In relation to the work area 4, an example of work of the autonomous mobile device 2 in the work area 4 will be described. As the work of the autonomous mobile device 2 in the work area 4, for example, a series of work is set up in which parts are delivered on the input side of the processing equipment 6 and processed parts are received on the collection side of the same processing equipment 6. it can. In this case, the autonomous mobile device 2 is not allowed to move out of the work area 4 until a series of operations are completed due to the balance between the waiting time and the moving time. In addition, after one work is finished at the processing equipment 6, it is possible to set so that the next work instruction may be directly given from the processing equipment 6 side or an operator therethrough via the operation interface means 13. In this case, for example, the movement outside the work area 4 may be disabled until a predetermined time elapses after the work is finished.

  When there is a signal from any equipment as a result of the state acquisition of each equipment 5, 6 and 7 in step # 1, the operation allocating unit 31 of the control device 3 has a signal among the waiting autonomous mobile devices 2. An operation instruction corresponding to the signal is assigned to the autonomous mobile device 2 which is closest to the facility and is ready for the operation at the facility (# 3).

  For example, when there is a component supply preparation completion signal from the supply facility 5, the operation allocating unit 31 selects the autonomous mobile device 2 closest to the supply facility 5 among the autonomous mobile devices 2 that are in a standby state without a transported object. An operation instruction is assigned to the selected autonomous mobile device 2 so as to move to the supply facility 5, receive parts from the supply facility 5, and then wait.

  Further, when there is a collection preparation completion signal for the collection facility 7, the operation allocation unit 31 selects the autonomous mobile device 2 that is closest to the collection facility 7 among the autonomous mobile devices that have processed processed objects, An operation instruction is assigned to the selected autonomous mobile device 2 so as to move to the collection facility 7, deliver the transported item to the collection facility 7, and then wait.

  In addition, when there is a supply request signal for the processing facility 6, the operation allocation unit 31 receives a part used in the processing facility 6 from the supply facility 5 and waits for the processing facility 6. The nearest autonomous mobile device 2 is selected, and an operation instruction is assigned to the selected autonomous mobile device 2 so as to move to the processing facility 6, to deliver the transported object to the processing facility 6, and then to stand by.

  At the time of the above-described operation instruction allocation, the operation allocation unit 31 does not allocate a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 to the same facility, and when the autonomous mobile device 2 already exists in the work area 4, The operation instruction information is generated so that the autonomous mobile devices 2 are not assigned, and an instruction is assigned to each device 2.

  Next, after step # 3, the operation instruction means 17 of the control device 3 determines an instruction for movement control such as movement start, temporary stop, and destination change for each autonomous mobile device 2 (# 4). . The determination of this instruction is based on the operation information such as the position, direction, and movement acquired from each autonomous mobile device 2 and the prediction of the interference of the movement route between the autonomous mobile devices 2 by the movement route interference prediction unit 30. Done. The contents of this instruction also include a response to an inquiry from the autonomous mobile device 2, for example, an inquiry for permission request in step # 19 of FIG.

  After confirming the operation instruction to each autonomous mobile device 2 in step # 4, the operation instruction means 17 transmits the instruction as operation instruction information to each autonomous mobile device 2 that issues the operation instruction (# 5). .

  The control device 3 repeats the above steps under a predetermined control cycle until the end of the system (Yes in # 6).

  As described above, the operation instruction unit 17 removes the autonomous mobile device 2 in the work area 4 from the target of operation instruction information allocation by the operation allocation unit 31 and the target of interference prediction by the movement path interference prediction unit 30. For the remaining autonomous mobile devices 2, the operation instruction information is assigned and interference prediction is performed. By performing such processing, the mobile device group control system 1 of the present invention can reduce the load on the control device 3 that controls the plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2. Further, since the control device 3 only needs to perform control excluding the work area 4, there is little change in data and processing programs handled by the control device 3 with respect to changes in the layout of the operation area and changes in equipment, and A quick response is possible.

  Next, the operation of the autonomous mobile device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The autonomous mobile device 2 transmits operation information including its own position information to the control device 3 at the start of operation (# 11).

  The autonomous mobile device 2 receives an instruction from the control device 3 following the transmission of the operation information described above, and if there is an operation instruction (Yes in # 12), starts or executes the instructed operation (# 13). ). For example, if there is an instruction for a stop command during the movement, it stops and waits, and if an operation instruction and a movement start command are given during the standby, the movement starts. There may also be an instruction to change the destination.

  When there is no instruction from the control device 3 (No in # 12), for example, an instruction from the operator other than the control device 3 is received through the operation interface means 13 for receiving the operation instruction information. If there is no reception (No in # 14), the current operation instruction state is continued (# 15). That is, the autonomous mobile device 2 that is on standby continues to wait, and the autonomous mobile device 2 that is traveling continues to travel.

  Further, if there is another operation instruction to be performed in the work area 4 from other than the control device 3 (Yes in # 14), the autonomous mobile device 2 changes the current operation instruction content to the content of the new operation instruction. After that (# 17), it is determined whether or not the self position is within the work area 4 (# 18).

  Here, the “instruction from other than the control device 3” includes an instruction obtained via the communication unit 11 in addition to an instruction directly given to the operation interface unit 13 of the autonomous mobile device 2. In addition, in these instructions, a preset operation sequence, for example, an operation of receiving a part on the collection side of the processing equipment, and a subsequent movement to the work area end node 22 at the end of the work area 4 are moved. Instructions regarding an operation sequence such as an operation can be included.

  If the autonomous mobile device 2 is not in the work area (No in # 18), the autonomous mobile device 2 sends an inquiry to the control device 3 as to whether or not the operation of the changed instruction may be started. (# 19). Thereafter, the autonomous mobile device 2 returns to step # 11, receives an instruction from the control device 3, and starts operation through steps # 12 and # 13.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step # 18 that the autonomous mobile device 2 is in the work area 4 (Yes in # 18), the autonomous mobile device 2 immediately starts the instructed operation in the work area 4. (# 20). By such operation processing in the work area 4 where there is no crossing of the movement route with other autonomous mobile devices 2, the autonomous mobile device 2 can perform operations such as movement without an instruction from the control device 3, which is efficient. I can work.

  When the operation instruction in the work area 4 is a movement instruction to the outside of the work area 4, the autonomous mobile device 2 immediately moves with the work area end node 22 as the destination, and the work area end node When it arrives at 22, it will be in the standby state as a state which can move out of the work area 4. FIG. After step # 20, control is returned to step # 11, and the above steps are repeated at a predetermined control cycle.

  Therefore, the autonomous mobile device 2 in the standby state follows the instruction of the subsequent step # 13. For example, when the autonomous mobile device 2 picks up the processed parts in the work area 4 set around the processing facility 6, the autonomous mobile device 2 moves to the recovery facility 7 next. Regardless of the presence or absence, it moves to the work area end node 22 and waits in a state where it can move out of the work area 4, and can efficiently move to the recovery facility 7.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the mobile device group control system 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example of an operating environment to which the system 1 is applied. In the present embodiment, the moving direction of the autonomous mobile device 2 is restricted to one-way in the parts input and recovery work area 4 provided on the front surface of the processing facility 6, and this point is described above. Unlike the first embodiment, the other points are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

  That is, in the operating environment shown in FIG. 8, there is a parts supply facility 5 on the left side, a processing facility 6 on the center, and a parts recovery facility 7 on the right side. Further, a general traveling area 41 is provided between the supply facility 5 and the processing facility 6 and between the processing facility 6 and the recovery facility 7. The work area 4 is a one-way area as indicated by a white arrow, and is the forward path of the autonomous mobile device 2. The return path of the autonomous mobile device 2 is provided in a region (upper part of the drawing) that bypasses the processing facility 6 and the work area 4 so as to connect the left and right general traveling areas 41.

  With respect to the operation area in which the movement of the autonomous mobile device 2 in the work area 4 as described above is a one-way movement as indicated by a white arrow, the control device 3 in the mobile device group control system 1 of the present embodiment The motion allocation unit 31 can allocate a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 to the work area 4 in an overlapping manner.

  Since the work in the work area 4 is a one-way movement, even if a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 enter the work area 4, no overtaking or the like occurs. Therefore, even if a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 move within the work area 4, no crossing of the movement paths occurs. The attribute information that the work area 4 is a one-way area is stored in the storage unit 15a of the autonomous mobile device 2 as map information together with information indicating the area of the work area 4. In such a case, the maximum number of autonomous mobile devices 2 that can enter the work area 4 is set in advance in accordance with the processing equipment 6 or the work place. .

  When a first work place (for example, an input place) on the movement route of the work area 4 outputs a preparation completion signal, the first work place is placed in the next work place (for example, an unloading place) in the work area 4. When the autonomous mobile device 2 that has been in the station arrives, another autonomous mobile device 2 can be assigned to the first work place (input place) after the arrival time. Such a work place can set a plurality of work places in one work area 4, for example, by providing a place for intermediate processing between the input place and the carry-out place. In this case, for example, work by the autonomous mobile device 2 is performed in time series along a one-way movement route.

  A work area end node 22 is provided on the one-way exit side of the work area 4. When the autonomous mobile device 2 picks up the processed parts in the work area 4, the autonomous mobile device 2 moves to the recovery equipment 7 next. Moving. This point is the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the mobile device group control system 1 as described above, the processing capability of the system can be improved by assigning a plurality of devices to the work area 4 that does not collide even when a plurality of autonomous mobile devices 2 work.

(Third embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, 3rd Embodiment of the moving apparatus group control system 1 of this invention is described. FIG. 9 shows the concept of the mobile device group control system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows an example of an operating environment to which the system 1 is applied.

  In the mobile device group control system 1 of the present embodiment, the autonomous mobile device 2 communicates with a sub-control device 3a different from the control device 3 when entering a specific work area 40, as shown in FIG. I do. That is, the autonomous mobile device 2 is controlled by a hierarchical control device such as the main control device 3 and the sub control device 3a under the control of the control device 3. Hierarchization of the control device is performed for each work area depending on, for example, the arrangement of operation areas and the content of processing by the processing equipment 6. Unlike the first and second embodiments described above, the control device hierarchization is substantially the same as the first and second embodiments in the other points of the present embodiment.

  For example, in FIG. 10, in addition to the work area 4 similar to that in the first embodiment described above, other control devices (sub-devices) are included in the operation area 10 of the autonomous mobile device 2 in which the main control device 3 performs operation control. A work area 40 is provided in which the control device 3a) controls the operation of the autonomous mobile device 2.

  The autonomous mobile device 2 stores in advance a work area 4 and a work area 40 in which the sub-control device 3a controls the operation of the autonomous mobile device 2. That is, information on these work areas is stored in the storage unit 15a as map information. When the autonomous mobile device 2 enters the work area 40 where the secondary control device 3a performs operation control, the autonomous mobile device 2 sets the communication destination as the secondary control device 3a. The sub-control device 3 a transmits the operation information of the autonomous mobile device 2 in the work area 40 and the state information of each facility 5, 6, 7 to the main control device 3.

  The operation instruction means 17 of the control device 3 determines the autonomous mobile device in the work area 40 of the sub control device 3a from the target of operation instruction information allocation by the operation allocation unit 31 and the target of interference prediction by the movement path interference prediction unit 30 2 is excluded and movement control is performed. As in the first and second embodiments, the autonomous mobile device 2 heading from the inside of the work area 40 to the external collection facility 7 is a work area end node at the end of the work area 40 controlled by the sub control device 3a. In 23, it waits as a state where the sub-control device 3a can move out of the work area 40.

  The autonomous mobile device 2 that has entered the work area 40 of the sub-control device 3a has the sub-control in the work area 40 in the same manner as the operation is controlled by the control device 3 in the first and second embodiments described above. The operation is controlled by the device 3a. According to such a mobile device group control system 1, since the control of the system can be hierarchized and each control device can perform distributed processing, the load on the control device 3 can be reduced and efficient operation without delay can be achieved. realizable.

  Note that the information processing means in the obstacle detection means 12, the operation interface means 13, the travel control means 15 and the operation instruction means 17 of the control device 3 constituting the autonomous mobile device 2 in the mobile device group control system 1 of the present invention are as follows. It can be configured as a set of processes or functions on an electronic computer having a general configuration such as a CPU, a memory, an external storage device, a display device, and an input device. Further, the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described drawings and embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

The conceptual diagram explaining the mobile device group control system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block block diagram of the autonomous mobile apparatus in a system same as the above. The block block diagram of the control apparatus in a system same as the above. The conceptual diagram of the operating environment of the autonomous mobile apparatus which applied a system same as the above. The conceptual diagram explaining the movement path | route in the operating environment of the autonomous mobile apparatus to which the system same as the above is applied, the intersection of movement, and the movement of the autonomous mobile apparatus. The flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control apparatus in a system same as the above. The flowchart explaining operation | movement of the autonomous mobile apparatus in a system same as the above. The conceptual diagram of the operating environment where the mobile device group control system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is applied. The conceptual diagram explaining the mobile device group control system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram of the operating environment where a system same as the above is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile device group control system 2 Autonomous mobile device 3 Control device 4 Work area 10 Operation area 11 Communication means 14 Travel means 15 Travel control means 16 Communication means 17 Operation instruction means 30 Movement path interference prediction part 31 Action allocation part 40 Work area 3a Sub control unit

Claims (3)

In a mobile device group control system comprising a plurality of autonomous mobile devices and a control device that controls these autonomous mobile devices,
The autonomous mobile device receives operation instruction information from the control device and transmits operation information including its own position to the control device, a traveling device for traveling, and a specification set in an operation area And travel control means for controlling the travel means based on the map information and the operation instruction information obtained by the communication means.
The control device comprises communication means for receiving operation information from the autonomous mobile device and transmitting operation instruction information to the autonomous mobile device, and operation instruction means for generating the operation instruction information,
The operation instruction means includes a movement path interference prediction section that predicts movement path interference between the autonomous mobile apparatuses based on the operation information of the autonomous mobile apparatuses obtained by the communication means, and the movement path interference prediction section. An operation allocating unit that generates operation instruction information for each autonomous mobile device so that a plurality of autonomous mobile devices are not assigned to each work area in consideration of a prediction result, and that is assigned to each autonomous mobile device; Have
The mobile device group control system, wherein the operation instruction means excludes an autonomous mobile device in the work area from an object of interference prediction by the movement path interference prediction unit.   The operation allocating unit enables a plurality of autonomous mobile devices to be allocated to the work area when the movement of the autonomous mobile device in the work area is a one-way movement. Item 4. The mobile device group control system according to Item 1.   The mobile device group control system according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous mobile device communicates with a control device different from the control device when entering the work area.

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