JP2019026435A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processor capable of detecting a fault in the mounting accuracy of a conveying mechanism without adding any extra sensor.SOLUTION: An information processor comprises: a determination index-measuring part 102 for measuring a light intensity from a work-piece 20 detected by a photoelectric switch 2 for detecting whether the work-piece 20 conveyed by a conveying mechanism 10 which conveys circularly at a fixed period exists in a detection region or not; an out-of-reference detector 103 for detecting the occurrence of the out-of-reference when a difference X between a reference value and the light intensity measured by the determination index-measuring part 102 exceeds a threshold value; and a fault-determining part 104 for determining that there is a possibility of a fault occurrence in the conveying mechanism 10 when the out-of-reference occurrence period detected by the out-of-reference detector 103 agrees with the period of the conveying mechanism 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs failure diagnosis of a transport mechanism.

  BACKGROUND ART Monitoring using a detection device such as a photoelectric switch or a hot-melt application state inspection apparatus having an infrared temperature sensor is widely performed on a workpiece conveyed by a conveyance mechanism. For example, in a hot melt application state inspection apparatus, the temperature of a detection region on a transport mechanism is measured by an infrared temperature sensor, and the spot temperature of the workpiece is detected from the temperature (for example, patents). Reference 1).

JP 2010-145364 A

  On the other hand, in the transport mechanism, the work itself can be transported, but there may be a problem that the placement accuracy is affected. In this case, there is a problem that the conventional monitoring method cannot detect a defect and is difficult for an operator to detect visually.

  This invention was made in order to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of detecting a defect with respect to the placement accuracy of the transport mechanism without adding a special sensor. .

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention measures a parameter related to the transport target detected by a detection device that detects the presence or state of a transport target in a detection region transported by a transport mechanism that circulates at a constant cycle. When the difference between the determination index measurement unit and the parameter measured by the reference value and the determination index measurement unit exceeds the threshold, the detection is performed by the non-reference detection unit and the non-reference detection unit. And a failure determination unit that determines that there is a possibility that a failure has occurred in the transport mechanism when the non-reference generation cycle coincides with the cycle of the transport mechanism.

  According to this invention, since it comprised as mentioned above, the malfunction with respect to the mounting precision of a conveyance mechanism can be detected, without adding a special sensor.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a conveyance mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the malfunction with respect to the mounting precision in a conveyance mechanism. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the inclination of a conveyance target, and the light intensity detected by a photoelectric switch. It is a figure which shows an example of the table used by the defect amount estimation part in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in addition to the information processing apparatus 1, a photoelectric switch (detection device) 2 is also illustrated.
The information processing apparatus 1 uses the photoelectric switch 2 that detects the presence / absence of a workpiece (conveyance target) 20 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10 in a detection region, and detects a defect in the placement accuracy of the workpiece 20 in the conveyance mechanism 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a cycle storage unit 101, a determination index measurement unit 102, a non-reference detection unit 103, a failure determination unit 104, a determination result output unit 105, a failure amount estimation unit 106, a maintenance prediction. Unit 107, prediction result output unit 108, certainty degree evaluation unit 109, and evaluation result output unit 110. The information processing apparatus 1 is realized by a processing circuit such as a system LSI, a CPU that executes a program stored in a memory, or the like.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 10 has the workpiece 20 placed on the transport path and transports it around at a constant cycle (transport cycle). In the following description, the transport mechanism 10 performs circular transport using a belt, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a chain may be used. 2 indicates an area obtained by dividing the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 10.

  The photoelectric switch 2 is installed at a predetermined position of the transport mechanism 10 and detects the presence / absence of the workpiece 20 transported by the transport mechanism 10 in the detection region. That is, the photoelectric switch 2 projects light on a specific detection area on the conveyance path, receives light from the detection area, and detects light intensity (photocurrent), thereby detecting light in the detection area. The presence or absence of the workpiece 20 is detected. Below, the case where the workpiece | work 20 is an opaque body is assumed, and the case where the photoelectric switch 2 is a reflection type photoelectric switch is shown.

The cycle storage unit 101 stores a transport cycle by the transport mechanism 10. The cycle storage unit 101, for example, as the transport cycle, the time required for the transport mechanism 10 to make one round (cycle time), or the number of workpieces 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 before the transport mechanism 10 makes one round. (Period number) is stored. The periodic storage unit 101 is configured by an HDD, a DVD, a memory, or the like.
Note that FIG. 1 shows a case where the cycle storage unit 101 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the period storage unit 101 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 1.

  The determination index measuring unit 102 measures a parameter (detection level related information) related to the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 as a determination index. In the first embodiment, the parameter is the light intensity of the reflected light (light) from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2.

  The non-reference detection unit 103 detects occurrence of non-reference when the difference X between the reference value and the light intensity measured by the determination index measurement unit 102 exceeds a threshold value.

  The defect determination unit 104 determines whether the non-reference generation cycle detected by the non-reference detection unit 103 matches the transport cycle stored in the cycle storage unit 101 (including the meaning of substantially matching). It is determined that there is a possibility that a problem has occurred. In addition, the defect determination unit 104, for example, as a generation cycle, after the occurrence of a non-reference is detected by the non-reference detection unit 103, the time until the occurrence of the non-reference is detected again by the non-reference detection unit 103 ( Elapsed time) or after the occurrence of non-reference is detected by the non-reference detection unit 103 and before the occurrence of non-reference is detected again by the non-reference detection unit 103, the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 is detected. The number (elapsed number) is used.

The determination result output unit 105 notifies the determination result of the defect determination unit 104 to the outside. At this time, for example, the determination result output unit 105 may display a screen showing the determination result by the defect determination unit 104 on a monitor (not shown), or the defect determination unit 104 may have a defect in the transport mechanism 10. When it is determined that there is a sound, a sound is output from a speaker (not shown).
In FIG. 1, the determination result output unit 105 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the determination result output unit 105 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 1.

  The defect amount estimation unit 106 determines, based on the difference X obtained by the non-reference detection unit 103, when the defect determination unit 104 determines that there is a possibility that the conveyance mechanism 10 is defective. 10 defect amounts are estimated.

  The maintenance predicting unit 107 predicts the time when maintenance of the transport mechanism 10 is necessary based on the change in the defect amount when the change in the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimating unit 106 continues.

The prediction result output unit 108 notifies the prediction result of the maintenance prediction unit 107 to the outside. At this time, the prediction result output unit 108 displays, for example, a screen showing a prediction result by the maintenance prediction unit 107 on the monitor.
FIG. 1 shows a case where the prediction result output unit 108 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prediction result output unit 108 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 1.

  The certainty factor evaluation unit 109 has a high certainty factor that the defect of the transport mechanism 10 is a defect due to deterioration when the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 106 changes monotonously with time. evaluate.

The evaluation result output unit 110 notifies the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 109 to the outside. At this time, the evaluation result output unit 110 displays, for example, a screen showing the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 109 on the monitor.
In FIG. 1, the evaluation result output unit 110 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the evaluation result output unit 110 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 1.

  Further, FIG. 1 shows a case where the defect amount estimation unit 106, the maintenance prediction unit 107, the prediction result output unit 108, the certainty degree evaluation unit 109, and the evaluation result output unit 110 are provided in the information processing apparatus 1. However, the defect amount estimation unit 106, the maintenance prediction unit 107, the prediction result output unit 108, the certainty degree evaluation unit 109, and the evaluation result output unit 110 are not essential components and may be removed from the information processing apparatus 1.

Next, an operation example of the information processing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 10 is divided into 12 regions 11, and the workpiece 20 is placed at a specified time interval at a specified position on the conveyance path. The length of one round of the conveyance path is 1.2 m (1200 mm), and the belt is moved at a speed of 10 mm / second. In this case, the cycle storage unit 101 stores 120 seconds when storing the cycle time as the transfer cycle, and stores 12 when storing the cycle number as the transfer cycle. The reference value of the light intensity of the reflected light from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 is defined in advance as 10 nA (nanoampere), and the threshold is defined as 3 nA in advance. Note that the reference value and the threshold value are defined according to the convenience of processing associated with the presence / absence detection of the workpiece 20 by the photoelectric switch 2. Note that reference numeral 201 in FIG. 2 denotes a reflector that is disposed opposite to the photoelectric switch 2 via a detection region.

  In the operation example of the information processing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the determination index measuring unit 102 measures the light intensity of the reflected light from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 as a determination index (step ST301). ). The determination index measuring unit 102 performs light intensity measurement on a single workpiece 20 a plurality of times, thereby improving the reliability and practicality of the information processing apparatus 1.

  Next, the non-reference detection unit 103 detects the occurrence of non-reference when the difference X between the reference value and the light intensity measured by the determination index measurement unit 102 exceeds the threshold (step ST302). For example, when the light intensity measured by the determination index measurement unit 102 is 6 nA, the difference X from the reference value 10 nA is 4 nA, and thus exceeds the threshold value 3 nA, and the non-reference detection unit 103 generates an occurrence outside the reference. To detect. In addition, when the determination index measurement unit 102 performs light intensity measurement on a single workpiece 20 a plurality of times, the non-reference detection unit 103 determines the average value, the maximum value, the minimum value, or a combination thereof. Etc. is used to calculate the difference X from the reference value.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the transport mechanism 10, when the belt deteriorates and a specific portion (region 11) on the transport path is tilted, the work 20 placed on the portion is tilted. Further, in the transport mechanism 10, similarly, when a foreign object is present at a specific location on the transport path, the workpiece 20 placed at the location is inclined.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the workpiece 20 has no inclination, the photoelectric switch 2 can detect the light intensity of the appropriate reflected light at the appropriate workpiece position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the workpiece 20 is inclined, the photoelectric switch 2 detects the light intensity of the inappropriate reflected light at the inappropriate workpiece position. In this case, the light intensity differs between the case where the workpiece 20 has no inclination and the case where the workpiece 20 has an inclination. FIG. 5 shows a case where the photoelectric switch 2 detects the light intensity five times for one workpiece 20 as indicated by a black circle. FIG. 5 shows that the light intensity of the reflected light increases as the color of the workpiece 20 becomes brighter. Therefore, the non-reference detection unit 103 calculates the difference X between the reference value and the actual measurement value by the determination index measurement unit 102, and determines whether the difference X exceeds the threshold, thereby generating an out-of-reference occurrence (work 20 occurrences of inclination) can be detected.

  Next, the defect determination unit 104 detects that a defect has occurred in the transport mechanism 10 when the non-reference generation period detected by the non-reference detection unit 103 matches the transport period stored in the period storage unit 101. It is determined that there is a possibility (step ST303). For example, after the occurrence of non-reference is detected by the non-reference detection unit 103, the elapsed time from the detection of the non-reference by the non-reference detection unit 103 is about 120 seconds (or the number of elapsed times is 12). Suppose that In this case, since it coincides with the conveyance cycle stored in the cycle storage unit 101, it can be said that the non-reference is reproduced when the conveyance mechanism 10 has made a complete turn, and there is a possibility that a defect has occurred in the corresponding part of the belt It can be determined that there is. In addition, before the elapsed time reaches 120 seconds (or the number of elapsed times is 12), it is possible that an out-of-reference occurrence due to another cause may be detected. It's not just outside processing.

  Next, the determination result output unit 105 notifies the determination result of the defect determination unit 104 to the outside (step ST304). At this time, for example, the determination result output unit 105 displays a screen showing the determination result by the defect determination unit 104 on the monitor, or there is a possibility that the defect determination unit 104 has a defect in the transport mechanism 10. When the determination is made, the sound is output from the speaker, so that the determination result is notified to the outside so that the operator can recognize it.

  Next, the defect amount estimation unit 106, based on the difference X obtained by the non-reference detection unit 103 when the defect determination unit 104 determines that there is a possibility that the conveyance mechanism 10 has a defect, The defect amount of the transport mechanism 10 is estimated (step ST305). The defect amount estimation unit 106 holds a table indicating the relationship between the inclination of the workpiece 20 and the reflection characteristics (difference X), for example, as shown in FIG. This table is created for each work 20. For example, when the difference X is 4 nA, the defect amount estimation unit 106 refers to the table shown in FIG. 6 and estimates that the tilt angle (defect amount) of the workpiece 20 is about 7 °.

  Next, when the change in the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 106 continues, the maintenance prediction unit 107 predicts when maintenance of the transport mechanism 10 is necessary based on the change in the defect amount. (Step ST306). For example, if the defect amount increases by 1 ° in one week to 8 ° and the defect amount requiring maintenance is 10 °, the maintenance prediction unit 107 replaces the belt in the transport mechanism 10 after two weeks. Predict that

  Next, the prediction result output unit 108 notifies the prediction result of the maintenance prediction unit 107 to the outside (step ST307). At this time, for example, the prediction result output unit 108 displays a screen showing a prediction result by the maintenance prediction unit 107 on the monitor, thereby notifying the outside so that the operator can recognize the prediction result. In the above example, the prediction result output unit 108 displays “after two weeks” on the monitor as the maintenance time.

  Next, the certainty factor evaluation unit 109 has a certainty factor that the defect of the transport mechanism 10 is a defect due to deterioration when the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 106 changes monotonously with time. Evaluated as high (step ST308). For example, when the defect amount changes monotonously such as 7 °, 7.5 °, 8 °, and 8.5 °, it is considered that there is no measurement error or the like. Is rated high.

  Next, the evaluation result output unit 110 notifies the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 109 to the outside (step ST309). At this time, the evaluation result output unit 110 notifies the outside of the evaluation result so that the operator can recognize it, for example, by displaying a screen showing the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 109 on the monitor. In the above example, the evaluation result output unit 110 displays “high confidence” on the monitor.

Here, the transport mechanism 10 that transports the workpiece 20 placed at a specified position on the transport path is put into practical use in a factory or the like, and most of them are configured so that the transport mechanism 10 circulates around at a constant cycle. ing. The optical intensity of the reflected light from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 (or a photocurrent that is a physical quantity corresponding to the optical intensity) is somewhat deviated in synchronization with the conveyance cycle of the conveyance mechanism 10. In this case, it is considered that there is a high possibility (not accidental) that there is a problem (belt inclination or the like) in the mounting state of the transport mechanism 10.
Therefore, like the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the light intensity of the reflected light from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 is measured, and compared with the conveyance cycle of the conveyance mechanism 10, thereby conveying the conveyance mechanism. Ten defects (presence / absence of belt inclination and approximate position) can be detected. Further, in the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, by using rational information such as the periodicity of the transport mechanism 10, a malfunction of the transport mechanism 10 can be detected with high reliability even with a slight change. it can.

Further, by using the light intensity of the reflected light from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 and the conveyance cycle of the conveyance mechanism 10, it is possible to estimate the inclination of the belt itself in the conveyance mechanism 10 or to predict the inclination. It is.
Then, as in the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the necessity of maintenance (replacement) of the belt in the transport mechanism 10 and the prediction of the maintenance time are estimated by estimating the amount of defects and predicting the maintenance time. Can be presented to the operator.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, when the defect amount is a substantially monotonous change (not increasing or decreasing), it is particularly a cumulative defect due to the same cause. It can be judged that the certainty level is high.

With the above-described configuration and processing, failure detection and failure prediction of the transport mechanism 10 can be realized.
Note that the prediction process of the maintenance prediction unit 107 has been illustrated as simple as possible, but if the change in the amount of defects is irregular (complex), it can be appropriately enhanced by a well-known mathematical method or the like. Good. In recent years, it may be possible to apply an AI (Artificial Intelligence) function implemented on an IoT (Internet of Things) platform.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, from the workpiece 20 detected by the photoelectric switch 2 that detects the presence or absence of the workpiece 20 in the detection region of the workpiece 20 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10 that circulates at a constant cycle. When the difference X between the determination index measurement unit 102 that measures the light intensity of the light and the reference value and the light intensity measured by the determination index measurement unit 102 exceeds a threshold value, the non-reference occurrence is detected. When the non-reference generation period detected by the detection unit 103 and the non-reference detection unit 103 coincides with the period of the transport mechanism 10, it is determined that there is a possibility that the transport mechanism 10 is defective. Since the defect determination unit 104 is provided, a defect with respect to the placement accuracy of the transport mechanism 10 can be detected without adding a special sensor.

  In the above description, a case where a reflective photoelectric switch is used as the photoelectric switch 2 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a transmissive photoelectric switch can be used as the photoelectric switch 2 when the object to be transported is a transparent body.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In Embodiment 1, the case where the photoelectric switch 2 was used as a detection device was shown. On the other hand, Embodiment 2 shows a case where the temperature detection device 4 is used as a detection device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 3 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, in addition to the information processing device 3, the temperature detection device 4 is also illustrated.
The information processing device 3 uses the temperature detection device 4 that detects the state of the workpiece (conveyance target) 20 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10 in the detection region, and detects a problem with respect to the placement accuracy of the workpiece 20 in the conveyance mechanism 10. . As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus 3 includes a cycle storage unit 301, a determination index measurement unit 302, a non-reference detection unit 303, a defect determination unit 304, a determination result output unit 305, a defect amount estimation unit 306, a maintenance prediction. Unit 307, prediction result output unit 308, certainty factor evaluation unit 309, and evaluation result output unit 310. The information processing apparatus 3 is realized by a processing circuit such as a system LSI, a CPU that executes a program stored in a memory, or the like.

  Note that the configuration of the transport mechanism 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted. In addition, the workpiece 20 is applied with a high temperature member such as a hot melt adhesive.

  The temperature detection device 4 is installed at a predetermined position of the transport mechanism 10 and detects the state of the workpiece 20 transported by the transport mechanism 10 in the detection region. That is, the temperature detection device 4 measures the temperature in a specific detection region on the conveyance path with a thermal image measurement device such as an infrared temperature sensor, and detects the spot temperature as the state of the workpiece 20 from the temperature. As this temperature detection device 4, for example, a hot melt application state inspection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be used.

The cycle storage unit 301 stores a transport cycle by the transport mechanism 10. The period storage unit 301 detects, for example, a time (period time) required for the transport mechanism 10 to go around once as a transport cycle, or the spot temperature is detected by the temperature detection device 4 before the transport mechanism 10 goes around. The number of workpieces 20 (cycle number) is stored. The periodic storage unit 301 is configured by an HDD, a DVD, a memory, or the like.
Note that FIG. 7 shows a case where the cycle storage unit 301 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cycle storage unit 301 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 3.

  The determination index measurement unit 302 measures a parameter (detection level related information) related to the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4 as a determination index. In the second embodiment, the parameter is the spot temperature of the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4.

  The non-reference detection unit 303 detects the occurrence of non-reference when the difference Y between the reference value and the spot temperature measured by the determination index measurement unit 302 exceeds a threshold value.

  The defect determination unit 304, when the non-reference generation cycle detected by the non-reference detection unit 303 matches the transport cycle stored in the cycle storage unit 301 (including the meaning of substantially matching). It is determined that there is a possibility that a problem has occurred. Note that the defect determination unit 304, for example, as a generation period, after the occurrence of a non-reference is detected by the non-reference detection unit 303, the time until the occurrence of the non-reference is detected again by the non-reference detection unit 303 ( Elapsed time) or after the occurrence of non-reference is detected by the non-reference detection unit 303, the spot temperature is detected by the temperature detection device 4 until the occurrence of non-reference is detected again by the non-reference detection unit 303. The number of workpieces 20 (elapsed number) is used.

The determination result output unit 305 notifies the determination result of the defect determination unit 304 to the outside. At this time, for example, the determination result output unit 305 may display a screen indicating the determination result by the defect determination unit 304 on a monitor (not shown), or the defect determination unit 304 may have a defect in the transport mechanism 10. When it is determined that there is a sound, a sound is output from a speaker (not shown).
FIG. 7 shows a case where the determination result output unit 305 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 3. However, the determination result output unit 305 is not limited to this, and may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 3.

  The defect amount estimation unit 306 determines the conveyance mechanism based on the difference Y obtained by the non-reference detection unit 303 when the defect determination unit 304 determines that there is a possibility that the conveyance mechanism 10 is defective. 10 defect amounts are estimated.

  When the change in the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 306 continues, the maintenance prediction unit 307 predicts the time when the transport mechanism 10 needs to be maintained based on the change in the defect amount.

The prediction result output unit 308 notifies the prediction result of the maintenance prediction unit 307 to the outside. At this time, the prediction result output unit 308 displays, for example, a screen showing a prediction result by the maintenance prediction unit 307 on the monitor.
FIG. 7 shows a case where the prediction result output unit 308 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prediction result output unit 308 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 3.

  The certainty degree evaluation unit 309 has a high degree of certainty that the defect in the transport mechanism 10 is a defect due to deterioration when the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 306 changes monotonously with time. evaluate.

The evaluation result output unit 310 notifies the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 309 to the outside. At this time, the evaluation result output unit 310 displays, for example, a screen showing the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 309 on the monitor.
FIG. 7 shows a case where the evaluation result output unit 310 is provided inside the information processing apparatus 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the evaluation result output unit 310 may be provided outside the information processing apparatus 3.

  Further, FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the information processing apparatus 3 includes the defect amount estimation unit 306, the maintenance prediction unit 307, the prediction result output unit 308, the certainty degree evaluation unit 309, and the evaluation result output unit 310. However, the defect amount estimation unit 306, the maintenance prediction unit 307, the prediction result output unit 308, the certainty factor evaluation unit 309, and the evaluation result output unit 310 are not essential components and may be removed from the information processing apparatus 3.

Next, an operation example of the information processing apparatus 3 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following, as in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 10 is divided into 12 regions 11 and the workpieces 20 are placed at specified positions on the conveyance path at regular time intervals. The length of one round of the conveyance path is 1.2 m (1200 mm), and the belt is moved at a speed of 10 mm / second. In this case, the cycle storage unit 301 stores 120 seconds when storing the cycle time as the transfer cycle, and stores 12 when storing the cycle number as the transfer cycle. In addition, it is assumed that the reference value of the spot temperature of the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4 is defined in advance as 80 ° C., and the threshold value is defined as 4 ° C. in advance. The reference value and the threshold value are defined according to the convenience of processing associated with the state detection of the workpiece 20 by the temperature detection device 4.

  In the operation example of the information processing apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the determination index measurement unit 302 measures the spot temperature of the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection apparatus 4 as a determination index (step ST801). The determination index measurement unit 302 performs spot temperature measurement on a single workpiece 20 a plurality of times, thereby improving the reliability and practicality of the information processing apparatus 3.

  Next, the non-reference detection unit 303 detects the occurrence of non-reference when the difference Y between the reference value and the spot temperature measured by the determination index measurement unit 302 exceeds the threshold (step ST802). For example, when the spot temperature measured by the determination index measuring unit 302 is 75 ° C., the difference Y from the reference value of 80 ° C. is 5 ° C., and thus exceeds the threshold value of 4 ° C. Detect outbreaks. When the determination index measurement unit 302 performs spot temperature measurement for a single workpiece 20 a plurality of times, the non-reference detection unit 303 sets the average value, maximum value, minimum value, or a combination thereof. Etc. is used to calculate the difference X from the reference value.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the transport mechanism 10, when the belt deteriorates and a specific portion (region 11) on the transport path is tilted, the work 20 placed on the portion is tilted. Further, in the transport mechanism 10, similarly, when a foreign object is present at a specific location on the transport path, the workpiece 20 placed at the location is inclined.
On the other hand, when the workpiece 20 has no inclination, the temperature detection device 4 can detect an appropriate spot temperature at an appropriate workpiece position. On the other hand, when the workpiece 20 has an inclination, the temperature detection device 4 detects an inappropriate spot temperature at an inappropriate workpiece position. In this case, the spot temperature differs between the case where the workpiece 20 has no inclination and the case where the workpiece 20 has an inclination. Therefore, the non-reference detection unit 303 calculates the difference Y between the reference value and the actual measurement value by the determination index measurement unit 302, and determines whether the difference Y exceeds the threshold, thereby generating an out-of-reference occurrence (work 20 occurrences of inclination) can be detected.

  Next, the failure determination unit 304 causes a failure in the transport mechanism 10 when the non-reference generation cycle detected by the non-reference detection unit 303 matches the transport cycle stored in the cycle storage unit 301. It is determined that there is a possibility (step ST803). For example, after the occurrence of non-reference is detected by the non-reference detection unit 303, the elapsed time until the occurrence of non-reference is again detected by the non-reference detection unit 303 is about 120 seconds (or the number of elapsed times is 12). Suppose that In this case, since it coincides with the conveyance cycle stored in the cycle storage unit 301, it can be said that the non-reference is reproduced when the conveyance mechanism 10 has made a complete revolution, and there is a possibility that a defect has occurred in the corresponding part of the belt It can be determined that there is. In addition, before the elapsed time reaches 120 seconds (or 12 elapsed times), there is a possibility that an out-of-reference occurrence due to another cause may be detected. It's not just outside processing.

  Next, the determination result output unit 305 notifies the determination result of the defect determination unit 304 to the outside (step ST804). At this time, for example, the determination result output unit 305 displays a screen indicating the determination result by the defect determination unit 304 on the monitor, or the defect determination unit 304 may have a defect in the transport mechanism 10. When the determination is made, the sound is output from the speaker, so that the determination result is notified to the outside so that the operator can recognize it.

  Next, the defect amount estimation unit 306, based on the difference Y obtained by the non-reference detection unit 303 when the defect determination unit 304 determines that there is a possibility that the conveyance mechanism 10 has a defect, The defect amount of the transport mechanism 10 is estimated (step ST805). The defect amount estimation unit 306 holds a table indicating the relationship between the inclination of the workpiece 20 and the temperature characteristic (difference Y). This table is created for each work 20. For example, when the difference Y is 5 ° C., the defect amount estimation unit 306 refers to the above table and estimates that the inclination angle (defective amount) of the workpiece 20 is about 7.0 °.

  Next, when the change in the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 306 continues, the maintenance prediction unit 307 predicts when maintenance of the transport mechanism 10 is necessary based on the change in the defect amount. (Step ST806). For example, if the defect amount increases by 1 ° in one week to 8 ° and the defect amount requiring maintenance is 10 °, the maintenance prediction unit 307 replaces the belt in the transport mechanism 10 after two weeks. Predict that

  Next, the prediction result output unit 308 notifies the prediction result of the maintenance prediction unit 307 to the outside (step ST807). At this time, the prediction result output unit 308 notifies the outside so that the operator can recognize the prediction result, for example, by displaying a screen showing the prediction result by the maintenance prediction unit 307 on the monitor. In the above example, the prediction result output unit 308 displays “After 2 weeks” on the monitor as the maintenance time.

  Subsequently, the certainty factor evaluation unit 309 has a certainty factor that the defect of the transport mechanism 10 is a defect due to deterioration when the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit 306 changes monotonously with the passage of time. Evaluated as high (step ST808). For example, when the defect amount changes monotonously such as 7 °, 7.5 °, 8 °, and 8.5 °, it is considered that there is no measurement error or the like. Is rated high.

  Next, the evaluation result output unit 310 notifies the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 309 to the outside (step ST809). At this time, the evaluation result output unit 310 notifies the outside of the evaluation result so that the operator can recognize it, for example, by displaying a screen showing the evaluation result by the certainty factor evaluation unit 309 on the monitor. In the above example, the evaluation result output unit 310 displays “high confidence” on the monitor.

Here, the transport mechanism 10 that transports the workpiece 20 placed at a specified position on the transport path is put into practical use in a factory or the like, and most of them are configured so that the transport mechanism 10 circulates around at a constant cycle. ing. If the spot temperature of the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4 has some deviation in synchronization with the conveyance cycle of the conveyance mechanism 10, there is a problem in the mounting state of the conveyance mechanism 10 (e.g., belt inclination). ) Is likely to have occurred (not accidental).
Therefore, as in the information processing device 3 according to the second embodiment, the spot temperature of the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4 is measured and compared with the conveyance cycle of the conveyance mechanism 10, thereby causing a malfunction of the conveyance mechanism 10. (Presence / absence of belt inclination and approximate position) can be detected. Further, in the information processing apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment, by using rational information such as the periodicity of the transport mechanism 10, a failure of the transport mechanism 10 can be detected with high reliability even with a slight change. it can.

Further, by using the spot temperature of the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4 and the conveyance cycle of the conveyance mechanism 10, it is possible to estimate the inclination of the belt itself in the conveyance mechanism 10 or to predict the inclination.
Therefore, as in the information processing apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment, by estimating the amount of defects and predicting the maintenance time, the necessity of maintenance (replacement) of the belt in the transport mechanism 10 and the prediction of the maintenance time are determined. Can be presented to the operator.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus 3 according to the second embodiment, when the defect amount is a substantially monotonous change (not increasing or decreasing), it is particularly a cumulative defect due to the same cause. It can be judged that the certainty level is high.

With the above-described configuration and processing, failure detection and failure prediction of the transport mechanism 10 can be realized.
The prediction process of the maintenance predicting unit 307 has been illustrated as simple as possible. However, if the change in the amount of defects is irregular (complex), it can be appropriately enhanced by a well-known mathematical method or the like. Good. In recent years, it may be possible to apply an AI function implemented on the IoT platform.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the workpiece 20 detected by the temperature detection device 4 that detects the state in the detection region of the workpiece 20 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10 that circulates and conveys at a constant cycle. A determination index measurement unit 302 that measures the spot temperature, and a non-reference detection unit that detects occurrence of non-reference when the difference Y between the reference value and the spot temperature measured by the determination index measurement unit 302 exceeds a threshold value 303 and a failure determination that determines that there is a possibility that a failure has occurred in the transport mechanism 10 when the non-reference generation period detected by the non-reference detection unit 303 matches the cycle of the transport mechanism 10. Therefore, it is possible to detect a problem with respect to the placement accuracy of the transport mechanism 10 without adding a special sensor.

  In Embodiment 1, the case where the photoelectric switch 2 which detects the presence or absence in the detection area | region of the workpiece | work 20 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10 was used as a detection device was shown. In the second embodiment, the case where the temperature detection device 4 that detects the state of the workpiece 20 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 10 in the detection region is used as the detection device has been described. However, the detection device is not limited to these, and any detection device that detects a parameter (detection level related information) whose value changes according to the inclination of the workpiece 20 may be used.

  In the present invention, within the scope of the invention, any combination of the embodiments, or any modification of any component in each embodiment, or omission of any component in each embodiment is possible. .

1 Information processing device 2 Photoelectric switch (detection device)
3 Information processing device 4 Temperature detection device (detection device)
10 Transport mechanism 11 Area 20 Workpiece (transport target)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Period memory | storage part 102 Determination index measurement part 103 Out-of-reference detection part 104 Defect determination part 105 Determination result output part 106 Defect amount estimation part 107 Maintenance prediction part 108 Prediction result output part 109 Certainty evaluation part 110 Evaluation result output part 201 Reflector 301 Period storage unit 302 Determination index measurement unit 303 Non-reference detection unit 304 Failure determination unit 305 Determination result output unit 306 Failure amount estimation unit 307 Maintenance prediction unit 308 Prediction result output unit 309 Reliability evaluation unit 310 Evaluation result output unit

Claims (5)

A determination index measuring unit that measures a parameter related to the transport target detected by a detection device that detects the presence or state of a transport target in a detection region transported by a transport mechanism that circulates at a constant cycle; and
When the difference between the reference value and the parameter measured by the determination index measurement unit exceeds a threshold value, a non-reference detection unit that detects occurrence of non-reference,
A failure determination unit that determines that a failure may occur in the transport mechanism when a non-reference generation cycle detected by the non-reference detection unit matches the cycle of the transport mechanism; Information processing apparatus provided. A defect that estimates a defect amount of the transport mechanism based on the difference obtained by the non-reference detection unit when it is determined by the defect determination unit that there is a possibility that a defect has occurred in the transport mechanism. A quantity estimation unit;
A maintenance prediction unit that predicts a maintenance timing of the transport mechanism based on the change in the defect amount when the defect amount estimated by the defect amount estimation unit continues. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A belief evaluation unit that evaluates a high degree of certainty that a defect due to deterioration has occurred in the transport mechanism when the amount of defect estimated by the defect amount estimation unit changes monotonously over time; The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The detection device is a photoelectric switch that detects the presence or absence of the conveyance target by detecting the light intensity of light from the detection region,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parameter is light intensity of light from the conveyance target detected by the photoelectric switch. The detection device is a temperature detection device that measures the temperature of the detection region and detects a spot temperature as the state of the conveyance target from the temperature,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parameter is a spot temperature of the conveyance target detected by the temperature detection apparatus.

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