JP4441515B2 - Parts supply apparatus and production system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is used in, for example, an automobile manufacturing factory, etc., so-called mixing that continuously produces a plurality of types of products having similar process sequences and work methods in one production line, and mixes and flows them. The present invention relates to a component supply apparatus used in a production system constituting a product line and a production system using the same.

  For example, in a production system that produces a plurality of types of automobile engines as products, an arbitrary number of various products are usually in a seemingly random order within a predetermined period (for example, one day) based on a production plan prepared in advance. Each line is produced. Therefore, the types of parts to be assembled on the assembly to be assembled flowing through the line are not uniform, and it is necessary to select and assemble the parts corresponding to the assembly to be assembled from the parts shelf accommodating a plurality of types of parts.

  And since there is a possibility that an error may occur if the selection of the component is entrusted to an operator, a component supply device that contributes to the prevention of such an error has been used conventionally, which is described in Patent Document 1 as an example. There is something. As shown in FIG. 4, this component supply device is provided with a plurality of component shelves 52 (three in the illustrated example) having a plurality of component storage sections 51 (three in the illustrated example) for storing components. A command is transmitted to the component shelf 52, and the display lamp 54 provided in the corresponding component storage section 51 is turned on. In the component supply apparatus having such a configuration, the operator can select a component to be taken out according to the lighting of the display lamp 54, and can prevent a component selection error. In FIG. 4, 55 is a repeater.

Japanese Patent No. 2694269

  However, in the above-described component supply apparatus, since it is necessary to connect a plurality of cables 56 such as a control cable and a power cable to the component shelf 52, the cable is used when the arrangement of the component storage section 51 of the component shelf 52 is changed. 56 has to be removed and reconnected, which is time-consuming and may lead to erroneous parts being supplied due to wiring errors or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a component supply device that can easily and quickly change the arrangement of a component storage section that stores components to be supplied, and a production system using the same. It is to provide.

To achieve the above object, the component supply device according to the present invention, a part rack for housing components assembled to fit the assembled unit was supplying components assembled body with the assembly, component storage of the component shelf An IC tag provided for each section, and the IC tag performs an operation in accordance with reception of an antenna for performing wireless communication with the pointing device, an IC chip, and a component sending command from the pointing device. A notification unit capable of recognizing which component storage compartment should be taken out by a person, and a battery for supplying power to the notification unit, and for the component storage partition A detachable component supply device,
The IC tag is provided with an input unit for the operator to perform part extraction work to input part extraction information from the part storage compartment,
With the input by the input unit, the notification unit is configured to switch from an ON state in which the notification operation is performed to an OFF state in which the notification operation is stopped,
The IC chip is configured so that a component removal completion signal is transmitted from an IC tag to the pointing device when the notification unit is switched to the notification operation stop state (Claim 1). ).

Further, the present invention is provided from a different point of view, the parts shelf for storing parts assembled to fit the assembled unit was supplying components assembled body with the assembly, for each component storage compartment of the component shelf IC The IC tag includes an antenna for performing wireless communication with the pointing device, an IC chip, and a component storage section that can be operated by an operator upon receipt of a component sending command from the pointing device. A component supply that has a notification unit that performs a notification operation capable of recognizing whether or not to remove the component and a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, and is detachable from the component storage section A device,
The IC tag is provided with an input unit for the operator to perform part extraction work to input part extraction information from the part storage compartment,
The input unit is configured to be able to be pushed by the worker who performs the component picking work, and the notification unit is operated from the ON state in which the notification unit is informed by receiving the component sending command by the operator's pushing operation. A push button switch that can be switched to an OFF state to stop, and the IC chip is connected so that a component removal completion signal is transmitted from the IC tag to the pointing device when the notification unit is switched to the notification operation stop state. Provided is a component supply device that is configured (claim 2).

  Furthermore, in the component supply apparatus, the notification unit is configured by any one or a combination of a display lamp that performs lighting or blinking display as a notification operation and a sound source unit that performs sound display as a notification operation. It is preferable that it is present (claim 3).

  Furthermore, in the said component supply apparatus, the said alerting | reporting part may be comprised so that the number of the components taken out from the said component storage area may be alert | reported (Claim 4).

  In order to achieve the above object, a production system according to the present invention has a line for continuously producing a plurality of types of products by transporting an assembly by a transport device and assembling parts to the assembly. A production system comprising: a reading device that reads identification data corresponding to the assembly from a recording unit provided in the assembly; and the component supply device according to claim 1, And an instruction device that receives the identification data read by the reading device and transmits an instruction based on the identification data to the IC tag of the component supply device.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, there can be obtained a component supply device and a production system using the component supply device which can easily and quickly change the arrangement of the component storage section for storing components to be supplied. That is, in the first and second aspects of the invention, first, by using the IC tag as the identifier of the component storage section, it is possible to realize an appropriate notification operation of an arbitrary notification unit by a component sending command from the pointing device. , Parts can be supplied accurately. In addition, since the IC tag is detachable from each component storage section, when changing the layout of the component storage section, the IC tag is moved, and the ID number of the IC tag and the It is only necessary to change the contents of the parts sending command, and the arrangement change can be performed easily and in a short time.

  Furthermore, for example, when the size of a part used due to a process change greatly changes and the parts shelf needs to be replaced, the conventional parts supply apparatus shown in FIG. 4 replaces not only the parts shelf but also the whole apparatus. Must. However, in the component supply apparatus according to the present invention, an IC tag is attached to each component storage section of the replaced new component shelf, and only the ID tag ID number and the content of the component sending command are changed as necessary. The advantage is that there is no need to replace the entire apparatus. If an IC tag is mounted on an existing component shelf, the component supply device of the present embodiment can be configured simply by preparing the pointing device, so that the manufacturing cost is extremely low.

  In addition, by accumulating the component removal completion signal in the pointing device, it is possible to confirm the removal of the component, and it is possible to obtain a component supply device that is excellent in clearly grasping the location of each component and in terms of traceability.

  In addition, since the notification unit switches from the ON state to the OFF state with the removal of the component from the component storage compartment, the operator can easily and reliably recognize whether or not the component has been removed from the component storage compartment. The effect that it can do is acquired.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the above-described effect, it is possible to instruct a plurality of delivery of the same part. For example, picking work (selecting work) when collecting parts from a parts shelf for transporting goods to the storefront. ) Can be used.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 5, the production system which has the said effect is obtained.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a production system using a component supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the production system according to the present embodiment has a line for continuously producing a plurality of types of products by transporting an assembly by a transport device such as a conveyor and assembling parts to the assembly. ing. Here, an automobile engine is an example of a product produced by the production system. In this case, a cylinder block is used as an assembly, and a crank (crankshaft) and a head (cylinder) are installed as components. Head), cam (cam shaft) and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the production system includes a reading device 1 that reads identification data corresponding to the assembly to be assembled from a recording unit provided in the assembly, and a component supply device 2 (for details, see FIG. And an instruction device 4 that receives the identification data read by the reading device 1 and transmits an instruction based on the identification data to the IC tag 3 of the component supply device 2.

  Here, the reading device 1 may be any device that can read the identification data from the recording unit of the assembly, and can employ various configurations. For example, if the recording unit is a barcode, a barcode reader can be used as the reading device 1, and if the recording unit is an IC tag, an IC tag reader can be used as the reading device 1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the pointing device 4 includes a component pointing board connected to a host computer 5 and incorporates a programmable controller (PLC), and the IC is connected via an IC tag master station 6. Communication with the tag 3 is possible.

  Next, the structure of the said component supply apparatus 2 is demonstrated. This parts supply device 2 is arranged in the vicinity of a work zone for assembling parts to the assembly in the production line of the production system, and supplies parts to be assembled to the assembly. A component shelf 7 for storing components to be assembled to the assembly and an IC tag 3 provided for each component storage section 8 of the component shelf 7 are provided.

  Here, the component shelf 7 has a plurality of component storage compartments 8. In this embodiment, a total of 12 (4 columns × 3 rows) component storage compartments 8 are provided on the component shelf 7. Yes. Each component storage section 8 is formed so as to be slightly inclined forward and downward.

  The IC tag 3 is a wireless IC tag, and includes an antenna 9 for performing wireless communication with the pointing device 4, an IC chip (not shown), and a component sending command from the pointing device 4. A notification unit 10 that performs a predetermined notification operation in response to reception, a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the notification unit 10, and an input unit for inputting information for picking up components from the component storage section 8 11 and is detachable from the component storage section 8 by, for example, hooking (not shown).

  Here, the ID number assigned to each IC tag 3 is stored in the IC chip.

  Further, as the notification unit 10, for example, a display lamp that performs lighting (flashing) display as a notification operation, a sound source unit (for example, a buzzer or a speaker) that performs voice display as a notification operation, and other displays that display characters or images In this embodiment, the display lamp 10a and a sound source unit (not shown) constitute the notification unit 10.

  Further, a push button switch is employed as the input unit 11 in this embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the production system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the production system, FIG. 3A is a table schematically showing the relationship between the type number, the PLC address, and the part number, and FIG. It is a table | surface which shows roughly the relationship between a component number, a PLC address, and ID number.

  First, in the production system, the assembly is sequentially conveyed along the line by the conveying device, and the identification data is read from the recording unit provided on the assembly by the reading device 1 arranged in the middle of the line ( In step S1), the identification data is input to the PLC of the pointing device 4.

  And in this embodiment, the information (type number) which shows the kind of said to-be-attached body is contained in the said identification data, The instruction | indication apparatus 4 (PLC) into which the said identification data was input is the identification data. A part number corresponding to the type number (a number indicating a part to be assembled to the assembly) is searched through the PLC address (step S2). For this reason, the type number, the PLC address, and the part number have a relationship shown in the table of FIG. 3A, for example. FIG. 3A shows a case where the type number is “2”. In this case, “3” is retrieved as the part number.

  Further, the pointing device 4 (PLC) searches the ID number of the IC tag 3 corresponding to this part number from the part number searched as described above via the PLC address (step S3). Therefore, the part number, the PLC address, and the ID number have the relationship shown in the table of FIG. 3B, for example. FIG. 3B shows a case where the part number is “3”. In this case, “4” is retrieved as the ID number.

  Further, the ID number is determined from the search result in the step S3, and the output format from the notification unit 10 (ON / OFF of the display lamp 10a and the sound source unit) is determined, and an arbitrary component sending command is created ( Step S4). Here, the output format (display, sound) is determined in units of parts.

  Subsequently, the component transmission command is transmitted from the instruction device 4 to the corresponding IC tag 3 via the IC tag master station 6 (step S5). Then, the IC tag 3 that has received the component sending command performs a predetermined notification operation in accordance with the output format determined in step S4 (step S6).

  By the notification operation, the operator can recognize which part storage section 8 should take out the part, and takes out the part (step S7). At the same time, the input unit 11 is operated (the push button switch is pressed) in order to input the information for taking out the components from the component storage section 8. As a result, the notification unit 10 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state. Specifically, the notification unit 10 is turned off if the display lamp is lit, and is muted if the sound source unit is in the audio output state (step S8).

  On the other hand, with the input by the input unit 11 in step S8, a component removal completion signal is transmitted from the IC tag 3 to the pointing device 4 (PLC) via the IC tag master station 6 (step S9). The IC chip of the IC tag 3 is configured to perform the above transmission.

  The component supply device 2 and the production system configured as described above have the following advantages. First, for example, when the size of a part to be used changes greatly due to a process change and the part shelf 7 has to be replaced, the conventional part supply apparatus shown in FIG. Must be replaced. However, in the component supply apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the IC tag 3 is attached to each component storage section 8 of the new component shelf 7 that has been replaced, and the ID tag, data regarding the PLC address of the IC tag 3 and the component and the component as necessary. There is an advantage that it is only necessary to change the contents of the sending command, and there is no need to replace the entire apparatus. In addition, if the IC tag 3 is mounted on the existing component shelf 7, the component supply device 2 of the present embodiment can be configured simply by preparing the pointing device 4 and the master station 6 for the IC tag. The manufacturing cost of the component supply device 2 is extremely low.

  Further, for example, when it is necessary to move a part in accordance with a process change, the conventional part supply apparatus shown in FIG. 4 needs to be moved together with the part shelf 52, and complicated operations such as cable removal and attachment are performed. It was to accompany. However, in the component supply device 2 of the present embodiment, the IC tag 3 is attached to each component storage section 8 of the component shelf 7 installed at an arbitrary location, and data on the ID number and the PLC address of the IC tag 3 is necessary. If the contents of the parts delivery command are changed, the movement of each of the parts shelves 7 as described above is not essential, and even when the parts shelves 7 are moved, work such as cable removal is unnecessary. There is an advantage that it can be easily moved. In addition, the component supply device 2 according to the present embodiment has the convenience of being able to cope with the movement of the IC tag 3 only when the component storage section 8 is rearranged in the same component shelf 7.

  Therefore, in the parts supply device 2 and the production system of the present embodiment, the time required for changing the parts storage section 8 and the like is shortened. Therefore, conventionally, the worker had to come to work on a holiday and make the above changes. It is also possible to make changes during weekday breaks.

  In addition, the workpiece conveyance apparatus of this invention is not restricted to said embodiment, It can implement in various deformation | transformation. For example, with respect to the configuration in which the IC tag 3 is detachably attached to the component storage section 8, various things such as fixing with a double-sided tape and screwing can be adopted in addition to the locking with a hook.

  Further, a plurality of music to be output from the sounding unit and how to turn on the display lamp 10a of the notification unit 10 are prepared, and any one of them is arbitrarily selected and executed according to the type or number of parts to be extracted. You may be comprised so that.

  Further, the notification unit 10 is configured to notify the number of components to be taken out from the component storage section 8 by adding the number of data to the component sending command sent from the pointing device 4 to the IC tag 3. Also good. In this case, a plurality of delivery instructions for the same part can be instructed, and for example, it can be used for picking work (selecting work) when collecting (pick-up) parts from the parts shelf 7 in order to transport goods to the store. The effect is obtained.

  Further, the component removal completion signal may be stored in the pointing device 4 (PLC). In this case, the removal of the component can be confirmed, and the location of each component can be clearly grasped and traceability can be confirmed. Can be improved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the production system using the components supply apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the production system. (A) is a table that schematically shows the relationship between the type number, the PLC address, and the component number, and (B) is a table that schematically shows the relationship between the component number, the PLC address, and the ID number. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the components supply apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

2 Component supply device 3 IC tag 4 Instruction device 7 Component shelf 8 Component storage section 9 Antenna 10 Notification unit
11 Input section

Claims (5)

Comprising a component rack for housing components assembled to fit the assembled unit was supplied components to be assembled onto the assembled, and an IC tag provided on the component shelf component housing each section, is the IC tag, Recognizing an antenna for performing wireless communication with the pointing device, an IC chip, and a component storage section from which an operator should take out in response to receiving a component sending command from the pointing device A component supply device that includes a notification unit that performs a notification operation that can be performed and a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, and is detachable from the component storage section,
The IC tag is provided with an input unit for the operator to perform part extraction work to input part extraction information from the part storage compartment,
With the input by the input unit, the notification unit is configured to switch from an ON state in which the notification operation is performed to an OFF state in which the notification operation is stopped,
The component supply device, wherein the IC chip is configured such that a component removal completion signal is transmitted from the IC tag to the instruction device when the notification unit is switched to the notification operation stop state. Comprising a component rack for housing components assembled to fit the assembled unit was supplied components to be assembled onto the assembled, and an IC tag provided on the component shelf component housing each section, is the IC tag, Recognizing an antenna for performing wireless communication with the pointing device, an IC chip, and a component storage section from which an operator should take out in response to receiving a component sending command from the pointing device A component supply device that includes a notification unit that performs a notification operation that can be performed and a battery that supplies power to the notification unit, and is detachable from the component storage section,
The IC tag is provided with an input unit for the operator to perform part extraction work to input part extraction information from the part storage compartment,
The input unit is configured to be able to be pushed by the operator who performs a part picking operation, and the notification unit is operated from the ON state in which the notification unit is informed by reception of a part sending command by the operator's pushing operation. A push button switch that can be switched to an OFF state to stop, wherein the IC chip is connected so that a component removal completion signal is transmitted from the IC tag to the pointing device when the notification unit is switched to the notification operation stop state. A component supply device characterized by being configured.   The said alerting | reporting part is comprised by any one or the combination of the display lamp which lights or blinks as alerting | reporting operation | movement, and the sound source part which performs audio | voice display as alerting | reporting action | operation. Parts supply equipment.   The component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit is configured to notify the number of components to be taken out from the component storage section.   A production system having a line for continuously producing a plurality of types of products by conveying an assembly to be assembled by a conveyor and assembling parts to the assembly, and provided on the assembly A reading device that reads identification data corresponding to the assembly from the section, the component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the identification data read by the reading device, the identification data A production system comprising: an instruction device that transmits an instruction based on the method to an IC tag of the component supply device.

Images