JP3254690B2 - Parts transport system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a component transport system in which a required component is transported by a transport device according to a component request, and more particularly to a component transport system in which a transport operation is efficiently performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a part request is made to a master station from a fixed station installed in a parts assembling process or the like, information on the requested part is sent to a mobile station installed in a carrier. Is transmitted from a master station, and a required component is transported in accordance with the information. A component transport system is used in various production lines and the like. In such a component transport system, the master station conventionally creates a required component list by arranging the required components from the fixed station in, for example, the order of the required time, and sequentially moves the components to be transported one by one according to the required component list. It was usual to send it to the office and force the parts to be transported. Further, as another method, the transport data relating to the plurality of upper parts of the required parts list is transmitted to the mobile station, and the parts to be transported to the transport worker are selected from the plurality of parts displayed on the display or the like. It is also considered to make the selection arbitrarily.

[0003]

However, in the former where the transport parts are specified on the master station side, parts suitable for transport together (for example, a storage location or a transport destination are close) (hereinafter referred to as set transport parts). However, even if they are requested within a short period of time, the set carrying parts must be separately carried, and there is a problem that the carrying work efficiency is low.

[0004] On the other hand, in the latter case where a worker selects a transporting part, if there is a set transporting part among a plurality of parts displayed on a display or the like, the transporting operator replaces the set transporting part. You can select and transport them together, but since the number of parts that can be displayed on the display is limited,
Even if there is a set carrying part below the required parts list, it cannot be carried together. If the display is large and all required parts can be displayed, it will be possible to transport the set even if it is a lower part of the list. In order to search for a set transporting part based on it, a high degree of skill is required, and a wrong selection of the transporting part or a long time is required for the selection of the transporting part.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method in which, when required parts include set transport parts, they are combined regardless of a required time shift. To be transported to

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a set carrying parts are determined in advance, and when such parts are required, the carrying order is set so that they are carried simultaneously. May be rearranged, and the present invention provides:
A request for parts is made to the master station from the stator station arranged in the process of handling a plurality of types of parts.
Parts list created by the master station
Together, by information on the request part based on the request parts list is sent to the mover station disposed conveyor, more is carrying works of the request component is performed on the carrier device according to the request part list In the parts transport system, (a) storage means for storing, for each part, a set transport code preset for each of the plurality of types of parts suitable for being transported together, and (b) the required parts reading a set delivery code from said memory means relating to the request component is the core of the same set delivery code
So that it or the like is continuous, if present in the required parts list
And a reordering means for reordering.

[0007]

In such a parts transport system, required parts requested by the stator station are arranged.
The required parts list created by the master station is
While the transport operation is performed according to the item list, the set transport code related to the required part is read out from the storage means, and
If the request part i.e. the set carrying part of the same set of transport code serial request parts list is present, it and the like communicating
Order to be SORT parallel by the rearranging means to continue, would be set transport components it like regardless deviation or the like of the request time are transported together, it is to improve transportation efficiency is.

[0008] For example, when a transport part is specified on the master station side, the required parts sorted by the sorting means are arranged.
By simultaneously sending the information on the required parts of the same set carrying code to the mobile station according to the list , the set carrying parts are carried together and the carrying work efficiency is improved. In addition, if the transport operator to select the transport component, it was replaced by moderate base, depending on the sorting means request
Information about all the required parts in the parts list or some of the required parts in the higher transport order is sent to the mobile station, and the required parts with the same set transport code are displayed side by side on a display, etc. The operator can easily judge the set transport parts such as, and even if there is a relatively large deviation in the required time, simultaneous transport becomes possible, and the transport work efficiency is further improved. In the latter case,
By displaying the required parts with the set transport code, the operator can easily identify the set transport parts.Also, it is only necessary to display the same number of parts as before, so the display is large. It does not become.

On the other hand, the storage means and the rearranging means need not always be provided in the master station, and when information on all required parts, that is, a required parts list is sequentially sent to the mobile station side, etc. By providing storage means and reordering means on the mobile station, the request sent to the mobile station
The parts list may be rearranged on the basis of the set transportation code, and the upper parts of the rearranged transportation order may be displayed on a display or the like.

Further, it is not always necessary to set the set transport code for all parts, but it is sufficient to set the set transport code for some parts suitable for simultaneous transport.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system in a component transport system for transporting components to each process such as a component assembling line using a plurality of transport devices. One master station 10 and a plurality of stator stations are shown. 12 and a mobile station 14. The stator station 12 is provided in each process such as the component assembly line for handling a plurality of types of components, while the mobile station 14 is provided in a transport device such as a forklift or a truck. In each process in which the stator station 12 is provided, up to eight types of parts are handled, and the number of transporting devices is determined according to the number of components handled in all processes, consumption amount, and the like. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stator station 12 has an information processing device 16 composed of a microcomputer or the like, eight call switches 18, and the call switches 18. 8 lamps 2 provided
0 and a setting unit 22 for transmitting information to and from the master station 10 via a transceiver 26. The call switch 18 is turned on by a worker when requesting a part. Each of the call switches 18 corresponds to a part handled in the process, and is turned on according to the type of the part. The call switch 18 to be set is predetermined. The setting unit 22 is for setting an ID number for specifying the fixed station 12 in advance.
Stored in AM. The ID number specifies a process in which the stator station 12 is provided, and a required component can be specified based on the ID number and the operation state of the call switch 18.

When at least one of the call switches 18 is turned on, the transport data DD1 comprising switch information indicating the operating states of the eight call switches 18 and ID numbers are recorded in the master station 1 in a predetermined format.
Sent to 0. In the switch information, the operation states of the eight call switches 18 are represented by an 8-bit information amount by representing each operation state of the eight call switches 18 with one bit.

When the call switch 18 is set to the O
N, the one corresponding to the call switch 18 is made to blink, and after the transport data DD1 is transmitted to the master station 10, the confirmation signal SA1 is
Is turned on by being transmitted to. When the transport of the component is completed and the transport completion signal SE2 is transmitted from the master station 10, the light is turned off.

Returning to FIG. 1, the master station 10 includes a control computer 32, a keyboard 34, a part table memory 36, a printer 38, a CRT display 40, a fixed station CCU (communication control unit) 42, and a mobile station. A slave station CCU 44 is provided, and information is transmitted between the fixed station 12 and the mobile station 14 via a transceiver 46. The transceiver 46 is connected to all the stator stations 1
2 and a plurality of mobile stations 14 are provided so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The control computer 32 performs signal processing in accordance with a program stored in the ROM while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM, and has the functions shown in the block diagram of FIG. . In FIG. 4, the list creation block 70 includes the transportation data DD.
This is a block for creating a required parts list based on the program No. 1 in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM, for example, as shown in FIG. That is,
First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the transport data DD1 has been received through the CCU 42 for the fixed station. When the transport data DD1 has been received, in step S2, the required component is determined from the ID number of the transport data DD1 and the switch information. Is determined. Then, in step S3,
The component data relating to the requested component is read from the component table of the component table memory 36.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the component data. The "fixed station" column corresponds to the ID number and switch number of the fixed station 12. That is, "7" before "7-1" corresponds to the ID number, and "1" after it corresponds to the switch number of the call switch 18 of the fixed station 12.
Accordingly, in step S2, the "fixed station" is specified from the ID number and the switch information of the transport data DD1 transmitted from the fixed station 12, and the part table memory is determined in step S3 based on the "fixed station" number. The component data is read from. When the switch information indicates the ON state of the plurality of call switches 18, a plurality of "fixed stations" corresponding to the call switch 18 are specified, and a plurality of component data are read. In the component table of the component table memory 36, component data relating to all components is stored in advance for each component, that is, for each “fixed station”.

The "flight" of the component data is the transport priority, which is set in advance in consideration of the number of components that can be stored in the pallet, the transport time, and the like. Indicates “*”. "Store"
Indicates the storage location of the part, "span number" indicates a simplified number identifying the part, "part number" indicates the official part number of the part, and "article name" indicates the part name. The "line" represents the address of the production line where the part is handled, and the "se" represents the set transport code specified for each set transport part suitable for transporting together. The “division” indicates a lift division predetermined for each part in order to efficiently carry the work. The above set transport parts are determined based on the storage place of the parts and the type and size of the pallet storing the parts, and the lift classification is based on the storage place of the parts and the assembly process position (transport destination). It is determined. In this embodiment, since the lift division is determined for each part, even if the same set conveyance code is different from the lift division, they are not simultaneously conveyed, and the set conveyance part is substantially the lift division. And set transport code. The "time" is the reception time of the transport data DD1 relating to the part, that is, the part request time, and is written when the part data is read.

In the present embodiment, the component table memory 36 storing the component data corresponds to storage means for storing a set transport code for each component.

Returning to FIG. 5, in the next step S4, it is determined whether or not a part having the same set carrying code and lift category as the required part, that is, a set carrying part is present in the required parts list. . The required parts list is an order in which the parts data are to be conveyed, as shown in FIG.
It is stored in a list storage block 72 composed of a RAM or the like, and is searched for the set transport code in the “C” column and the lift section in the “City” column. The “progress” in the required component list in FIG. 7 is the transport order, and “S” described in the “progress” column indicates that the transport operation is already underway. Is performed except for those parts being transported. Further, in this embodiment, a time limit is provided, and a search is not performed for a requested component whose request time is separated by 15 minutes or more. For example, 15:42
If there is a new request for a part, a set carrying part is searched from the parts requested after 15:27. When the set transport parts are set for each lift category, the search may be performed based only on the set transport code in the “S” column.

If there is a set carrying part in the required parts list stored in the list storage block 72, in step S5, the part data of the newly requested part is interrupted after the set carrying part. If the required parts list is rearranged and the required parts list does not include set transport parts, in step S6, the part data of the newly requested parts is added to the end of the required parts list. . FIG. 8 shows that the set carrying code of the newly requested part is "e" and the lift category is "2" as shown in FIG. 6, and the same set carrying is included in the required parts list of FIG. If there is a part of the code and the lift category, that is, a part of "advance degree" 3, the part data of the new required part is added to the position of "advance degree" 4, and the order of the following part data is moved down one by one. It is a figure showing a new required parts list.

In the present embodiment, of the series of signal processing by the control computer 32, steps S3 and S3 in FIG.
The part that executes S4 and S5 functions as a reordering unit.

Returning to FIG. 4, the display control block 74
This is a block for displaying the required parts list stored in the list storage block 72 on the CRT display 40. In this embodiment, the top 20 required parts are displayed. FIG. 9 shows an example of the required parts list displayed on the CRT display 40. The “61 points in total” in the upper row indicates that the number of parts requested after the start of the work is 61, and the “49 points not yet”. Means that 49 of the requested parts whose transportation has not been completed yet are 49. The “required number of parts” on the lower right side is the number of incompletely transported parts for each lift section. 7 and 8 indicate that the parts of “progress” 1 and 2 with meshes are currently being transported.
Corresponds to “S” in the “progress” column. On the CRT display 40, the display of the mesh portion is reverse white characters.

In accordance with the required parts list stored in the list storage block 72, the information transmission control block 76 of FIG. 4 transmits the transport data DD2 representing the required parts via the mobile child station CCU 44 to each of the mobile stations 14 Is a block to be transmitted. The transport data DD2 is a predetermined time interval, or the progress of the transport operation,
4 in response to a request or the like from the mobile station 14, and in this case, the transport data DD2 includes, in addition to the information on the ID number and the switch number for specifying the "fixed station", "lift classification" and Information about whether or not “having been carried out” is included. Further, data relating to the top 20 required components from the required component list is transmitted at one time, and these components match the components displayed on the CRT display 40.

The mobile station 1 installed in the transport device
4 is an information processing device 50 constituted by a microcomputer or the like as shown in FIGS.
, An operation unit 52, a part table memory 54, a PD
And a P (plasma display panel) 56 for transmitting information to and from the master station 10 via a transceiver 58. The operation unit 52 includes a lift section selection dial 60 for selecting a lift section, a push button type transmission key 62, and five transport selection switches 6 for selecting transport parts.
4, and five transport completion switches 66 which are operated when the transport is completed are provided. The part table memory 54 includes the part table memory 36 of the master station 10.
The same component table as the component table stored in is stored. This part table can be stored in a plurality of mobile stations by transferring the one registered in the master station 10 to the mobile station 14 or the one previously input to a personal computer or the like to the master station 10 and the mobile station 14 respectively. It can be easily input to the slave station 14.

Then, of the 20 required parts included in the transport data DD2 transmitted from the master station 10,
The lift section selected by the lift section selection dial 60 is identified by the information of the "lift section" included in the transport data DD2, and the "in transport operation" included in the transport data DD2. From the above information, only the top five items for which the transport operation has not been performed are taken out from the top, and the part data of the required parts are read out from the part table memory 54 and predetermined predetermined items are displayed on the PDP 56. . FIG. 12 shows an example of the required component data displayed on the PDP 56.
This is the case where the lift section “2” is selected.

The transport selection switch 64 and the transport completion switch 66 are provided corresponding to the five required component data displayed on the PDP 56, and the transport operator selects "#" from the displayed five required components. ”Or the like, or a set transport code in the“ S ”column, and arbitrarily select one or more, and set the corresponding transport selection switch 64 to O.
N operation and the transmission key 62 are turned ON, the transportation execution request signal S representing the selected required part
B is transmitted to the master station 10. As a result, the display of the selected component on the PDP 56 flashes, and the master station 10
When the request confirmation signal SA2 is transmitted from, a white inverted character is obtained. In FIG. 12, the component columns of “progress” 1 and 2 indicated by meshes indicate blinking or inverted characters, which means that this component has been selected. If the selected part has already been selected by another mobile station 14 in the same lift section, that is, if the transport operation is being performed after the transport data DD2 has been transmitted, the operation is canceled from the master station 10. A signal SC is transmitted to the mobile station 14 and data on the component is
6 deleted.

The transport worker grasps the storage location from the “store” in the selected component column, that is, the component column of the inverted character, and runs the transport device to the storage location to change the storage number or “part number / article name”. Based on this, the parts are loaded, and the parts are transported to the process represented by the “station”. The transport completion switch 66
When the transportation is completed, the one corresponding to the part is turned on, a transportation completion signal SE1 indicating that the transportation of the part is completed is transmitted to the master station 10, and the CRT display 40 and the PDP 56 for the part are transmitted. The display scrolls.

Each of the mobile stations 14 has a lift section determined in advance, and carries out a transport operation by sharing a large number of parts. On the PDP 56, the required number of parts for each lift section is displayed at the lower right. The transport operator can change the lift section based on the required number of parts, and can support the part transport operation of another lift section. A plurality of mobile stations 14 are prepared in advance for each lift section as needed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sequence of the communication system described above. Hereinafter, a series of operations will be described with reference to this sequence.

First, when at least one call switch 18 of any one of the fixed stations 12 is turned on, the transport data DD1 including the ID number of the fixed station 12 and information on the operation state of the call switch 18 is transmitted to the parent station. While being transmitted to the station 10, the lamp 20 corresponding to the call switch 18 that has been turned ON blinks. When the transport data DD1 is received by the master station 10, a confirmation signal SA1 is transmitted to the stator station 12, and the blinking lamp 20 is turned on.

The master station 10 having received the transport data DD1
The required parts represented by the transport data DD1 are added to the required parts list, and if there are set transport parts having the same set transport code and the same lift category, the required parts order is rearranged. Then, at predetermined time intervals or the like, the transport data DD2 relating to the top 20 required parts is transmitted to all the mobile stations 14 based on the latest required parts list. Each mobile station 14 stores the above-mentioned 20 required parts, and selects the top five required parts which are in their own lift division and are not currently being transported, and stores them in the storage location for the required parts. Data such as PDP
56. However, if there is a part currently being transported in its own mobile child station 14 and there is a part selected or transported by another mobile child station 14 in the same lift category, the above-mentioned transportation (selection) The component data of (D) is left as it is in the PDP 56, and only the component data selected or transported by another mobile station 14 is deleted and rewritten with new component data.

Thereafter, the transport operator sets the transport selection switch 6
When the transmission key 62 is turned on while the transport component is selected by turning ON the button 4, a transport execution request signal SB representing the selected component is transmitted to the master station 10 and the display of the PDP 56 relating to the selected component flashes. Becomes The master station 10 that has received the transport execution request signal SB determines whether the component has already been selected by another mobile slave station 14,
If not selected, a request confirmation signal SA2 is transmitted to the mobile station 14. As a result, the part field displayed on the PDP 56 and the CRT display 40 becomes a white inverted character. When transmitting the request confirmation signal SA2, the control computer 32 of the master station 10 writes “S” in the “progression” column of the relevant component in the required component list based on the component information included in the request confirmation signal SA2, As a result, the corresponding component column of the CRT display 40 is set as a reversed character. If another mobile station 14 is already selected, a work cancel signal SC relating to the part is transmitted to the mobile station 14 and the part is deleted from the PDP 56 and stored. From the required parts, the next required part relating to the lift category is read out and its data is displayed.

Then, the transporter performs a component transporting operation based on the component data indicated in the component column of the inverted character, and when the transporting operation is completed, turns on the transporting completion switch 66 corresponding to the component. Manipulate. This allows
The data of the part is deleted from the PDP 56, new part data is displayed, and the transport completion signal SE1 is displayed.
Is transmitted to the master station 10. Based on the transport completion signal SE1, the master station 10 deletes the parts from the required parts list, raises the required parts one by one, rearranges the required parts order, and performs the new required parts list. The display on the CRT display 40 is changed according to the following. In addition, a transport completion signal SE2 is transmitted to the stator station 12 that has requested the component, and the lamp 20 that is turned on when the component is requested is turned off.

The request confirmation signal SA2 and the transport completion signal SE1 are supplied to the list creation block 70, and based on these signals, "S" indicating "transporting" is added to the required parts list. It has a function to write and delete parts that have been transported and rearrange them.

As described above, in the parts transportation system of the present embodiment, the transportation data DD relating to the twenty required parts
2 is transmitted to all mobile stations 14, and each mobile station 14 can arbitrarily select a part to be transported from among the five required parts relating to its own lift division. The transport instructions are not temporarily concentrated and the work load does not vary, and the transport operator can perform the transport operation at his own pace. In other words, as long as there is at least one required component that has not been selected, any mobile station 14 can carry the required component by changing the lift division as necessary, and eventually, All the mobile stations 14 transport all the required parts in cooperation with each other, and the transport work efficiency is improved.

In the case where there are set transport parts among the required parts displayed on the PDP 56, the transport operator can select and transport the set transport parts together. In the example, the parts of the same set transport code are continuously arranged in the required parts list regardless of the required time shift, and the set transport parts are displayed side by side on the PDP 56, so that the required time shift is relatively large. Even in such a case, it is possible to carry them together, and the carrying work efficiency is further improved. By the way, the number of set transportation per hour is 2
Assuming that the average work time when transporting parts and parts is 5 minutes, the working time is 8 hours, and 2 orthogonal changes per day, the following equation (1) is used.
Compared to the case of transporting parts separately, the transporting work time per day in one transporter is reduced by about 2.7 hours.

[0039]

2 × 5 × 8 × 2 ÷ 60 = 2.7 (1)

When the required parts list is created in the order of the required time, the data of a large number of parts, for example, all the required parts, is moved so that the set can be transported even if the required times are relatively large. The PDP 56 of the mobile station 14 can be small in size and the information transmission time is short, and it is easy for the transport operator to determine the set transport parts, as compared with the case where the information is sent to the station 14 for display. In particular, in this embodiment, since the set transport code is also included in the component data displayed on the PDP 56, the set transport component is easily recognized by looking at the set transport code, so that the set transport is reliably performed and the set transport is performed. An error in determining whether or not to do so is prevented.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, portions common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

First, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
In FIG. 14, the transport order of the required parts is rearranged based on the transport priority.
7 is a flowchart of signal processing executed in accordance with a program stored in advance at 0. In FIG. 14,
In step S11, the transport data DD2 transmitted from the master station 10 is received according to the required component list created such that the set transport components are arranged in order. The transport data DD2 is not necessarily limited to the top 20 required parts, and may include all the required parts in the required parts list. Pick up the required parts related to the classification in order. The master station 10 divides the required parts list in advance for each lift section and creates the required parts list, sets the communication frequency to a different value for each lift section, and transmits the required parts list to the mobile station 14 for each lift section. Is also good.
FIG. 15A shows a required parts list in which required parts relating to the own lift section are arranged in order based on the transport data DD2. At this stage, no consideration is given to the transport priority. In the following description, a list of required parts related to the lift section of the user is simply referred to as a required parts list.

In step S12 and subsequent steps, sorting is performed in accordance with the transport priority in the order of the required parts in the transport order. In step S12, first, the part data relating to the required parts is described based on the "fixed station". It is read from the part table memory 54. In FIG. 15, “U1”, “S19”, and the like shown in the column of “fixed station” are ID numbers for specifying the fixed station 12. In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the transport priority included in the read component data is "#", that is, whether or not it is an express service, and if it is not an express service, steps S17 and subsequent steps are immediately executed. On the other hand, in the case of an express service, step S14
It is determined whether or not an express part is present in a part whose transport order is higher than the requested part this time, that is, in a part that has already been rearranged. If an express part is present at a higher level, the requested part is interrupted at the end of the express part at step S15. Into the required parts.

In step S17, the current required component (the required component from which the component data was read in step S12:
It is determined whether or not the transportation priority is “*”, that is, whether or not the service is an express service. If the service is not an express service, step S23 is immediately executed. On the other hand, if the service is an express service, the process proceeds to step S18. It is determined whether or not an express part is present in a part whose transport order is higher than the requested part. If there is an express part at the top, the requested part is interrupted at the end of the express part at step S19, and if there is no express part at step S20, step S20 is executed. In step S20, it is determined whether or not an express part is present in a part having a higher transport order than the requested part. If an express part is present in the upper part, the end of the express part is determined in step S21. In the case where no express parts are present in the upper level, the current required parts are interrupted at the top of the required parts list in step S22.

In step S23, it is determined whether or not the rearrangement process based on the transport priority has been completed for all the required components in the required component list. The execution of step S12 and subsequent steps is repeated according to the order. FIG. 15B is a list of required parts for which the rearranging process based on the transport priority has been completed, and the PDP 56 displays the part data relating to the top five required parts.

In this case, the express service and the express service are rearranged in the upper part of the required parts list regardless of whether they are set transport parts, and even if the required time is late, the PDP 5
6, the parts required for such limited express service or express service can be quickly transported. As a result, a line stop due to a delay in transporting the required parts is properly avoided. Also, the required parts for urgent transportation work are PD
Since it is displayed at the top of P56, it is possible to easily and quickly select a transporting part, thereby improving the transporting work efficiency, and eliminating the worry about oversight of the express parts, etc., and reducing the mental burden of the worker. It is reduced. In addition, the order of transportation is not rearranged for ordinary required parts that are neither express service nor express service.However, as the required parts of lower express service or express service are rearranged, the order of transportation is consequently changed. It will go down.

The embodiment of FIG. 16 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 14 in that a time limit is set in the rearrangement of the transportation order based on the transportation priority. The transportation data DD2 received in step S31 is different from that of FIG. As shown in the required parts list in FIG. 17, the request time at which a request was made from the fixed station 12 to the master station 10 for each required part is added. Then, in step S34, it is determined whether or not an express part is present in the parts that have been requested between the request time of the requested part and a time before a preset time limit Ta. In the case of YES, In step S35, the requested part is interrupted at the end of the limited express part.
In the case of O, the time limit Ta is set in step S36.
The part requested this time is interrupted at the head of the parts requested before. Further, in step S38, it is determined whether or not an express part is present among the parts requested from the request time of the current request part to a time before a preset time limit Tb. In step S39, the current required part is interrupted at the end of the express part. In step S40, it is determined whether or not an express part is present in the requested parts from the request time of the requested part to the time before the time limit Tb. If YES, the express part is determined in step S41. The current required part is inserted into the end of the part, and if NO, step S42
In this case, the requested part is interrupted at the head of the parts requested before the time limit Tb. Note that, for the other steps, the same processing as in the case of FIG. 14 is performed.

FIG. 17A shows a required parts list before the rearrangement process shown in FIG. 16 is performed.
Is a required parts list after the rearrangement process is performed.
In this embodiment, it is prevented that the required parts of the limited express or the express service are given excessive priority, and harmony with the ordinary required parts transporting operation which is neither the limited express nor the express service is achieved. The time limits Ta and Tb are set in the mobile station 14 in advance, and are set so that Ta ≧ Tb in principle. FIG. 17 shows a case where the time limit Ta is 10 minutes and the time limit Tb is 5 minutes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the mobile station 14 rearranges the transport order regarding the set transport parts and the transport priority, and steps S51 to S53 are added to the flowchart of FIG. Things,
The master station 10 does not create the required parts list in consideration of the set transport code, and in accordance with the required parts list in which the required parts are arranged in order of the required time in principle, sends the transport data DD2 relating to all the required parts to the mobile station 14. To be sent. In this case as well, the master station 10 divides and creates the required parts list for each lift section in advance, sets the communication frequency to a different value for each lift section, and transmits the required parts list to the mobile station 14 for each lift section. You may do it. In step S51 of FIG. 18 described above, it is determined whether or not the current required component is an express service, and if NO, that is, if it is a normal required component that is neither an express service nor an express service together with the determination of step S17, , Step S52
In, it is determined whether or not there is a component having the same set transport code (set transport component) in a component that is higher in the transport order than the current required component and is not an express or express. If there is a set transport component, in the next step S53, the current required component is interrupted at the end of the set transport component. The set transport code is read from the component table memory 54 at the time of reading the component data in step S12.

FIG. 19A shows a required parts list before the rearrangement process shown in FIG. 18 is performed.
Is the required parts list after the sorting process has been performed,
The component data relating to the top five required components in the required component list of (b) is displayed on the PDP 56. Also,
FIG. 20 is a list of required parts after the first and third required parts in the required parts list of FIG. 19B have been conveyed. FIG. 20A shows the list before the rearrangement processing, and FIG. Is after the rearrangement process.

In this embodiment, of the series of signal processing by the information processing device 50 of the mobile station 14, step S1
The part executing S2, S17, S51, S52, and S53 functions as a sorting unit based on the set transport code, and the part table memory 54 corresponds to a storage unit.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the set carrying parts are rearranged except for the express parts and the express parts. However, as shown in FIG. 23, the express parts and the express parts are rearranged. It is also possible to rearrange the set transport parts including. This is, for example, FIG.
1 and the flowchart of FIG. 22, and in step S62, the part data including the information on the set transport code and the transport priority is read out as in the case of FIG. In step S63,
It is determined whether or not a component (set transport component) having the same set transport code as the current required component exists in a component having a higher transport order than the current required component. If YES, step S64 is performed. It is determined whether or not the requested component is an express service. Then, in the case of an express service, it is determined in step S65 whether or not an express component is present in the same set transport component, and in the case of YES, the requested component is added to the end of the express component in step S67. While NO in step S
At 66, the current required part is interrupted at the head of the same set transport part.

If the determination in step S64 is NO, it is determined in step S68 whether or not the service is an express service. If the service is an express service, step S69 is executed. The requested part is inserted at the end of the transport part. In step S69, it is determined whether or not an express part is present in the same set transport part. If YES, the requested part is inserted into the end of the express part in step S70. In step S71, it is determined whether an express part is present in the same set transport part. If an express part exists, the requested part is interrupted at the end of the express part in step S72. If an express part does not exist, the present set part is moved to the head of the same set transport part in step S73. Request parts are interrupted. If the determination in step S63 is NO, that is, if the same set transport component does not exist in a higher order, step S63
At 75, it is determined whether or not the requested component is an express flight, and if it is not an express flight, it is determined at step S76 whether or not it is an express flight.

On the other hand, after step S66 is executed, step S77 in FIG. 22 is executed, and step S6 is executed.
It is determined whether or not there is another set transport component having an express component higher than the transport sequence interrupted in 6. If there is no other set transport component having the express component, the same set transport component as the current required component is interrupted at the head of the request component list in the same order in step S78, while the other component having the express component is not inserted. If there are any set transport parts, step S79
In step (1), the same set transporting component as the requested component at this time is interrupted at the end of the other set transporting components having the express parts. Step S77 and subsequent steps are executed in the same manner when the determination in step S75 is YES, but in this case, since there is no set transporting part identical to the current requesting part, only the current requesting part is interrupted. Is done.

After step S73 is executed, step S80 in FIG. 22 is executed, and step S7 is executed.
It is determined whether there is another set transport component having an express component higher than the transport sequence interrupted in 3. If there is no other set transport component having the express component, the above-described steps S77 and subsequent steps are executed. If there is another set transport component having the express component, the express component is deleted in step S81. The same set carrying part as the requested part at this time is interrupted at the end of the other set carrying parts having the same order. After step S80, the determination in step S76 is YE.
In the case of S, the same process is executed, but in this case, since there is no set transport component same as the current required component, only the current required component is interrupted.

The steps S67, S70, S7
When step S2 or S74 is executed, the order of conveyance is not advanced in relation to other set conveyance parts, so that steps S77 to S81 need not be executed. The same applies when the determination in step S76 is NO.

FIG. 23A shows a required parts list before the rearrangement processing shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is performed.
FIG. 7B shows the required component list after the rearrangement process is performed. The component data relating to the required top five components in the required component list of FIG. In FIG. 23, a blank part in the “se” column indicating the set carrying code means that there is no other part suitable for carrying together, and the blank parts are set carrying parts. It does not mean there is.

In this embodiment, of the series of signal processing by the information processing device 50 of the mobile station 14, step S62
Steps S74 to S74 function as a sorting unit based on the set transport code, and the parts table memory 54 corresponds to a storage unit.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments.

For example, in the first embodiment, the lift division is determined for each part in order to carry the parts efficiently. However, when the type of parts and the number of transporting devices are relatively small, the lift division is not necessarily required. There is no need to set the category. Also,
When a plurality of transporting devices are arranged in each lift section, it is not always necessary to be able to change the lift section of each mobile child station 14, and the transport data DD2 relating to a plurality of required parts for each lift section is provided. It may be transmitted from the master station 10.

In the first embodiment, the transport data DD
2 is transmitted to the mobile station 14, component data including "store" and "article number / article name" is displayed on the PDP 56. At this stage, it is necessary to select a transport component. Only information on the transport priority such as "#" or the set transport code is displayed in addition to the "fixed station", and after receiving the request confirmation signal SA2 of the master station 10, it is necessary for the transport operation such as "store". Information may be displayed. In such a case, it is not always necessary to store the parts table in the mobile station 14, and when a part to be transported is determined, information necessary for the work of transporting the part is transmitted from the master station 10 to the mobile station. 14 may be sent. This is because the amount of transmission information is smaller than when all the component data relating to the 20 required components are transmitted.

In the above embodiment, the request confirmation signal SA2 is determined by whether or not another mobile station 14 has already received a request.
Alternatively, a work cancel signal SC is transmitted, but every time the transport execution request signal SB is received, a signal for deleting data display or storage related to the component represented by the signal is transmitted to all other mobile child stations 14. To prevent duplicate transport.

In the first embodiment, "during transportation"
Although the set carrying parts are searched for excluding the parts described above, the set carrying parts may be searched for excluding the top 20 requested parts already transmitted to the mobile station 14. In this case, the order of the required components already displayed on the PDP 56 of the mobile station 14 is not changed halfway.

In the first embodiment, a time limit is set such that the required time shift is within 15 minutes. However, this time limit can be changed as appropriate, and such a time limit can be eliminated.

Further, the item of the component data stored in the component table memories 36 and 54 of the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate, and other items such as the type of the pallet storing the component can be added. It is.

In the first embodiment, the order of the required parts list is rearranged only based on whether or not the set is a transport part. In the second and subsequent embodiments, the rearrangement in consideration of the transport priority is performed. Although the sorting is performed, the sorting may be performed in consideration of other requirements.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given of the component transport system in which the transport operator selects a transport component on the mobile station 14 side. However, the master station 10 designates the transport component and instructs the mobile station 14 to transport. The present invention can be applied to a component transport system to be performed.

The stator station 12 can be changed as appropriate. For example, a stator station for inputting a part number, a process number, or the like by using a ten key or the like can be adopted.

In the above embodiment, the transport priority is set in the component data in advance.
A switch to set express service or express service can be provided in 2 so that express service or express service can be specified for parts that require urgency. When the operation is performed on the slave station 14 side, information on the express service or express service is also transmitted from the master station 10 to the mobile slave station 14.
What is necessary is just to be transmitted to. In addition, only express service may be set or specified as the transportation priority,
Of course, it is also possible to set or designate three or more types of flights, such as an express service and an express service, in addition to an express service.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and subsequent figures, the rearranging process relating to the transport priority is performed at the mobile station 14 side, but the rearranging process relating to the transport priority and the set transport is performed at the master station 10 side. It can also be configured to perform

In the embodiments of FIGS. 18, 21 and 22, each time the transport data DD2 relating to the required component list is received from the master station 10, the transport of all the required components included in the transport data DD2 is performed. The order rearrangement process is performed to create a required parts list. The master station 10 transmits information on parts newly requested by the fixed station 12 to the mobile station 14 sequentially. With
In the mobile station 14, as in the case of the first embodiment, for a new required part, based on the set transport code and the transport priority, an interrupt process, an advance process of the set transport component, and the like are performed on the already created required component list. May simply be performed.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18, 21 and 22, there is no time limit when rearranging the required parts based on the set transport code and the transport priority. However, in the first embodiment and FIG. A time limit can be provided as in the embodiment. In the rearrangement by the set carrying code, it is also possible to limit the number of the set carrying parts arranged in order.

The flowchart in each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and it goes without saying that a program including other steps having similar functions may be set.

Although not specifically exemplified, the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system in a parts transportation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a stator station in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stator station in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a control computer of a master station in the communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a signal processing operation of the list creation block in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of component data read in S3 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a required parts list stored in a list storage block of FIG. 4;

8 is a diagram illustrating a new required component list in which the component data of FIG. 6 is added to the required component list of FIG. 7;

9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT display of the master station in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a mobile station in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a mobile station in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the PDP of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a sequence operation of the communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a main part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a change in the transport order associated with the required parts rearranging process performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a main part of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a change in the transport order associated with the required part rearranging process performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a main part of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a change in the transport order associated with the required parts rearranging process performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a change in the transport order associated with the required component rearranging process after a part of the required components shown in FIG. 19 has been transported.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a main part of still another embodiment of the present invention, together with FIG. 22;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a main part of still another embodiment of the present invention, together with FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a change in the transportation order associated with the required parts rearranging process performed according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: master station 12: fixed slave station 14: mobile slave station 32: control computer 36, 54: component table memory (storage means) 50: information processing device 70: list creation block S3, S4, S5: rearrangement means S12, S17, S51, S52, S53: rearranging means S62 to S74: rearranging means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-177605 (JP, A) JP-A-63-177207 (JP, A) JP-A-63-212604 (JP, A) JP-A-63-177604 282508 (JP, A) JP-A-64-75302 (JP, A) JP-A-1-135438 (JP, A) JP-A-2-158810 (JP, A) JP-A-3-156383 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05D 1/02 B23Q 41/02 B23Q 41/08

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] One of the component request to the master station from the plurality of types of fixed slave station arranged to process handling part is made
On the other hand, the required parts list with the required parts
And based on the required parts list
By information about the request component is sent to the mover station disposed conveyor, in part delivery system carrying works more the request component to the conveyor is performed in accordance with the request part list, of the plurality of types A storage unit that stores a set transport code preset for each component suitable for transporting the components together for each component; and a set transport code related to the required component is read from the storage unit, and the same set transport code is read. the request parts of
If they are in the required parts list, they will be consecutive
And a rearranging means for rearranging the parts.