JPH07325614A - Simulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To conduct an off-line test of an automatic control unit as a body to be tested in test environment close to a production line which is actually placed in operation, and to decrease field test man-hours, make the test efficient, and shorten the test period and reduce the cost. CONSTITUTION:A simulation signal generating device 7 generates a controlled system simulation signal simulating a controlled system confirmation signal sent from the facility side of the production side that sends and receives data to and from a host computer 1, and the simulation signal generating device 7 outputs the controlled system simulation signal to a simulation means 5 which confirms and adjusts the function of the automatic control unit as the body to be tested.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a simulation device for performing function confirmation adjustment of an automatic control device used in a production line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an automobile production line, a PBS (Painted) that constitutes an intermediate storage having a branching / merging conveyor line existing on the downstream side of a painting process.
Various automatic control devices such as an automatic control device that controls a body storage device are used. When replacing the automatic control device used in the production line with a new automatic control device, the function confirmation adjustment of the newly introduced automatic control device is performed by a simulation device that simulates the function of the production line.

FIG. 9 is a simulation used for function confirmation adjustment of a newly introduced automatic control device when replacing the automatic control device of a PBS device existing on the downstream side of a painting process in a conventional automobile production line. It is a block diagram which shows an apparatus. In FIG. 9, 1 is a host computer, 2 is a communication line control device, 3 is a newly introduced automatic control device for newly introducing into a production line, 4 is an existing automatic control device operating on the production line, and 5 is a simulation panel. 6 is a seating confirmation signal coming from the facility side.

Next, the operation of the above conventional simulation apparatus will be described. The host computer 1 transmits the edited data for each vehicle to the newly introduced automatic control device 3 and the current automatic control device 4 via the communication line control device 2. The newly introduced automatic control device 3 and the current automatic control device 4 perform the tracking of the data for each vehicle transmitted from the host computer 1 in association with the seat confirmation signal 6 coming from the facility side.

Here, when the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is introduced due to the aging of the existing automatic control device 4, the simulation means 5 is used to confirm the function of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 on the equipment side. The seating confirmation signal 6 coming from is sent to the newly introduced automatic control device 3 and the current automatic control device 4 in parallel. Then, the operator compares and examines the calculation results of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 and the current automatic control device 4, and the operator locally introduces the newly introduced automatic control device 3
The function confirmation adjustment of is carried out.

[0006]

When a new automatic control device is introduced into an automobile production line using the above-described conventional simulation device, the new automatic control device 3 is installed in parallel with the existing automatic control device 4, and these new automatic control devices 3 are installed. The introduction automatic control device 3 and the current automatic control device 4 are made to receive the data from the host computer 1 and the seat confirmation signal 6 from the equipment side through the simulation means 5 in parallel, and the operator newly introduces the automatic control as the device under test. The newly introduced automatic control device 3 is adjusted while comparing the output result of the device 3 and the output result of the current automatic control device 4. Therefore, the test is passive because the test is performed while being restricted by the production line in operation, the test period is extended, and the function confirmation content is limited.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic control device as a device under test with an offline environment in a test environment close to a production line which is actually operated. It is possible to carry out the test, reduce the number of local test man-hours, improve the efficiency of the test, shorten the test period and reduce the cost.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a simulation apparatus in which a simulated signal generating device controls a data from a facility of a production line for transmitting / receiving data to / from a host computer. The control target simulation signal for simulating the confirmation signal is generated, and the control signal simulation signal is output by the simulation signal generator to the simulation means for performing function confirmation adjustment of the automatic control device of the production line as the device under test. It is a thing.

A simulation apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided with the simulated signal generator of the first aspect and a response performance check apparatus, and the response performance check apparatus outputs the simulated signal generator. By reading the signal and the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test of the first invention, it is possible to automatically determine whether the output signal from the automatic control device with respect to the output signal from the simulated signal generation device is output within a specified time. It is configured to verify the response performance of the control device.

According to a third aspect of the simulation apparatus of the present invention, the response performance checking apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention comprises an OK / NG evaluation section, and this OK / NG evaluation section is the target of the second aspect of the invention. It is configured to perform an evaluation depending on whether or not the output time of the output signal from the automatic control device as the test body is equal to or longer than a specified time.

According to a fourth aspect of the simulation apparatus of the present invention, the response performance checking apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention comprises an abnormality detecting means, and the abnormality detecting means is the second aspect.
According to the present invention, an abnormal display indicating that the output time of the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test is equal to or longer than the specified time is displayed.

A simulation apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises the simulated signal generator of the first aspect of the invention and the adaptability check apparatus, and the adaptability check apparatus is the device under test of the first aspect of the invention. By reading the output signal from the automatic control device as a body and the output signal from the host computer of the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to determine whether the output signal from the automatic control device matches the output signal from the host computer. It is configured to test the adaptive performance.

In the simulation device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the fifth adaptability check device is OK /
An NG evaluation unit is provided, and the OK / NG evaluation unit makes an evaluation according to whether or not the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test of the fifth invention matches the output signal from the host computer. It is configured in.

In the simulation apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the fifth adaptability checking apparatus includes abnormality detecting means, and the abnormality detecting means automatically controls the device under test of the fifth aspect. It is configured to display an anomaly indicating that the output signal from the device does not match the output signal from the host computer.

In the simulation device according to the eighth aspect, the production line according to any one of the first, second and fifth inventions is constituted by an intermediate storage having a branch / merge conveyor line. And the controlled object confirmation signal according to any one of the fifth invention is constituted by a product presence confirmation signal in the conveyor line, and the controlled object simulation signal according to any of the first, second and fifth inventions is present. It is composed of simulated signals.

[0016]

In the simulation apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, a simulation signal for simulating the presence confirmation signal from the equipment side is output to the simulation means for confirming and adjusting the function of the automatic control device as the device under test and is actually operated. Off-line testing can be performed in a test environment close to the production line

The simulation apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention determines the response performance of the automatic control device, that is, whether the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test with respect to the output signal from the simulated signal generation device is output within a specified time. Test automatically.

The simulation apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention automatically makes an OK / NG evaluation of the response performance of the automatic control apparatus as the device under test.

The simulation apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention automatically displays an abnormality in the response performance of the automatic control device as the device under test.

The simulation device of the fifth invention automatically verifies the adaptive performance of the automatic control device, that is, whether the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test matches the output signal from the host computer.

The simulation apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention automatically makes an OK / NG evaluation of the adaptive performance of the automatic control apparatus as the device under test.

The simulation apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention automatically displays an abnormality indication of the adaptive performance of the automatic control device as the device under test.

In the simulation apparatus of the eighth aspect of the invention, the verification of the response performance or adaptive performance of the automatic control device as the device under test is individually set in correspondence with the output point.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. Example 1 (corresponding to claim 1 and claim 8). FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a simulation device for performing function confirmation adjustment when the automatic control device of the PBS device is replaced in the automobile production line as the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a simulated signal generator, which generates a simulated seating signal simulating a seated confirmation signal coming from the equipment side and outputs it to a simulation means 5 such as a simulation panel. The simulated signal generator 7 has a simulator counter corresponding to the conveyor of the PBS device. 10 is a simulator device, which comprises a simulated signal generator 7 and a simulation means 5. The simulation means 5 of the simulator device 10 is connected to the newly introduced automatic control device 3, which is a device under test, which transmits and receives data to and from the host computer 1 via the communication line control device 2.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The simulated signal generator 7 is a "number of conveyors" of the PBS device, "the number of seats in each conveyor", "connection between conveyors", "branching / merging of conveyors",
Initial settings such as "conveyor moving pitch time" and "production line pitch time" are performed (step 101), and the simulator counter corresponding to each of the set conveyors is started to count (step 102). When the simulator counter starts counting and the set moving pitch time of each conveyor by the interrupt processing elapses, the seating position of the vehicle in each conveyor is moved by one pitch (step 103). Then, the simulated signal generator 7
A simulated seating signal indicating the simulated seating status of the vehicle in the current conveyor set with is output to the simulation means 5 (step 104). Further, it is necessary to decide which conveyor car to bring at the entrance of each conveyor or which conveyor to bring at the exit. Therefore, in step 105, the simulation means 5
The presence / absence of the instruction by the vehicle movement instruction signal at the branching / merging point is returned, and if there is no such instruction, the process returns to step 103, and if there is the instruction, the conveyor vehicle having the instruction is moved ( Step 106). Subsequently, in step 107, it is determined whether or not there is a car on the conveyor instructed, and if it is on the conveyor, the process returns to step 103, and if there is no car on the conveyor, the process ends. As a result, the same situation as in the actual automobile production line can be tested in the simulation by the seat simulation signal output from the simulation signal generator 7 until there are no cars on the conveyor. That is, this Example 1
Then, the data for each vehicle edited by the host computer 1 is transmitted to the newly introduced automatic control device 3 via the communication line control device 2, and the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is transmitted by the host computer 1 to the one vehicle. It is possible to perform tracking of the data for each of the above in association with the seated simulated signal 6 output from the simulated signal generator 7 via the simulation means 5.

In short, according to the first embodiment, by using the simulator device 10 in which the simulation signal generating device 7 is added to the simulation means 5, the function confirmation adjustment of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 actually produces an automobile. The PBS device in the production line can be simply and efficiently performed without being restricted by the equipment side, resulting in cost reduction. In addition, the simulator device 10 is an EWS (Engine).
The simulator device 10 can be easily constructed because it can be configured with a nearing work station) and a sequencer. In addition, by using the simulator device 10, there is no restriction on the test place, and the function confirmation and adjustment of the automatic control device can be easily performed at both the production site of the automatic control device and the production site of the automobile.

Example 2 (claims 2, 3 and 8)
Corresponding to). FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the simulation apparatus of the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the inside of the response performance check apparatus of the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, the simulator device 10 includes a response performance check device 8 in addition to the simulated signal generator 7 and the simulation means 5. The simulation means 5 of the simulator device 10 is connected to the newly introduced automatic control device 3, which is a device under test, which transmits and receives data to and from the host computer 1 via the communication line control device 2. The response performance check device 8 reads the output signal from the simulated signal generator 7 and the output signal from the newly introduced automatic controller 3, and outputs the output signal from the newly introduced automatic controller 3 to the output signal from the simulated signal generator 7. The response performance of the new-introduction automatic control device 3 that is whether or not is output within a predetermined time is evaluated, and an evaluation is performed depending on whether or not the output time of the output signal from the new-introduction automatic control device 3 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. To do
Specifically, it is as shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 4, the response performance check device 8 is compared with the vehicle movement signal reception unit 11, the counter start unit 12, the vehicle movement instruction signal reception unit 13, the counter stop unit 14, the timer counter 15, and the reference setting unit 16. The verification unit 17 and the OK / NG evaluation unit 18 are provided. The vehicle movement signal reception unit 11 receives the seating simulation signal output from the simulation signal generation device 7 and outputs the vehicle movement signal to the counter start unit 12. The counter start unit 12 outputs a counter start signal to the timer counter 15 according to the vehicle movement signal received from the vehicle movement signal reception unit 11. The vehicle movement instruction signal receiving unit 13 receives the vehicle movement instruction signal generated by the newly introduced automatic control device 3 receiving the seated simulated signal output from the simulated signal generating device 7, and outputs it to the counter start unit 12. The counter stop unit 14 outputs a counter stop signal to the timer counter 15 according to the vehicle movement instruction signal received from the vehicle movement instruction signal reception unit 13. The timer counter 15 is the counter start unit 12
The time counting operation is started by the counter start signal received from the counter, and the time counting operation of the timer counter 15 is ended by the counter stop signal received from the counter stop unit 14. Upon completion of this time counting operation, the timer counter 15 outputs an elapsed time signal from the start of time counting to the end of time counting to the comparison verification unit 17. The elapsed time signal from the timer counter 15 outputs a vehicle movement instruction signal as an output signal from the newly introduced automatic control apparatus 3 with respect to a vehicle movement signal as an output signal from the simulated signal generation apparatus 7, and a newly introduced automatic control apparatus. 3 represents the response time of 3. The reference setting unit 16 outputs to the comparison verification unit 17 a reference signal for response performance check as a prescribed time for determining the quality of response performance of the newly introduced automatic control device 3. The comparison verification unit 17 compares the elapsed time signal received from the timer counter 15 with the response performance check reference signal received from the reference setting unit 16 and outputs the resulting signal to the OK / NG evaluation unit 18. The OK / NG evaluation unit 18 responds to the result signal received from the comparison verification unit 17 with OK indicating normality and N indicating abnormality.
Evaluate either G. For example, when the comparison result signal that the elapsed time signal is within the response performance check reference signal is received from the comparison verification unit 17, OK / N
The G evaluation unit 18 displays the OK evaluation, and when the comparison result signal that the elapsed time signal exceeds the response performance check reference signal is received from the comparison verification unit 17, OK / NG
The evaluation unit 18 displays the NG evaluation.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
In the simulation device, if the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is tracked by using the seat simulation signal of the simulated signal generator 7, the new introduction automatic is performed at the branch point / confluence point of the conveyor, or at the exit instruction of the PBS device. The control device 3 executes the calculation each time and outputs a vehicle movement instruction signal to the simulator device 10. Since the automobile production line produces automobiles at intervals of about 1 minute, the response performance of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is required to maintain the production pitch at intervals of about 1 minute on the production line. .
Therefore, checking the response performance is an important adjustment factor in parallel with the function ensuring adjustment of the newly introduced automatic control device 3. Therefore, in the simulation device according to the second embodiment, the response performance check device 8 receives the seat simulation signal from the simulation signal generation device 7, and then receives the vehicle movement instruction signal from the new introduction automatic control device 3. The time until is monitored and the response performance of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is evaluated. The following three points will be exemplified and described as the evaluation elements. (1) Set production line pitch time In order to maintain the set production line pitch time,
It is monitored whether the vehicle movement instruction signal of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is output within the response performance check reference value of production line pitch time × 0.6. (2) Real-time performance Generally, a response performance of about 1 to 2 seconds is required as a real-time response to a process input from the equipment side. From the newly introduced automatic control device 3 until the vehicle movement instruction signal is received is monitored for about 1 to 2 seconds. (3) Car movement instruction signal to the next process (outputting instruction output of PBS device) In order to maintain the set production line pitch time,
It is monitored whether the vehicle movement instruction signal to the next process of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is output within the response performance check reference value of production line pitch time × 0.5.

In short, according to the second embodiment, by adding the response performance check device 8, the response performance of the new introduction automatic control device 3 can be manually performed during the function confirmation adjustment of the new introduction automatic control device 3. Instead, the quality is automatically judged, so that the simulation work can be performed easily and efficiently, and the cost can be reduced.

Example 3 (Claims 5, 6, and 8)
Corresponding to). FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the simulation apparatus of the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the inside of the adaptability check apparatus of the third embodiment. In FIG. 5, the simulator device 10 includes a simulated signal generator 7, a simulation means 5, a response performance checker 8 and an adaptability checker 9. The simulation means 5 of the simulator device 10 is connected to the newly introduced automatic control device 3, which is a device under test, which transmits and receives data to and from the host computer 1 via the communication line control device 2. The adaptability check device 9 reads the output signal from the newly introduced automatic control device 3 and the output signal from the host computer 1, and whether the output signal from the newly introduced automatic control device 3 matches the output signal from the host computer 1. New introduction automatic control device 3
Of the newly introduced automatic control device 3, and evaluates whether the output signal from the newly introduced automatic control device 3 matches the output signal from the host computer 1. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in.

That is, in FIG. 6, the adaptability check device 9 includes a vehicle movement instruction signal receiving unit 21, a vehicle production instruction information receiving unit 22, a condition setting unit 23, an adding unit 24, and a comparison verification unit 2.
5 and an OK / NG evaluation unit 26. The vehicle movement instruction signal receiving unit 21 receives the vehicle movement instruction signal generated by the newly introduced automatic control device 3 receiving the seated simulated signal output from the simulated signal generating device 7, and the counter start unit 12
Output to. The vehicle movement signal reception unit 21 receives the vehicle movement instruction signal for the pull-in control output from the newly introduced automatic control device 3 and outputs it to the addition unit 24. The vehicle production instruction information receiving unit 22 receives the vehicle production instruction information output from the host computer 1 and outputs it to the adding unit 24. The addition unit 24 selects the vehicle production instruction information corresponding to the vehicle movement instruction signal at the time of the pull-in control from the vehicle movement signal reception unit 21 from the vehicle production instruction information from the vehicle production instruction information reception unit 22 and performs this selection. The produced vehicle production instruction information and the vehicle movement instruction signal at the time of pull-in control are output to the comparison verification unit 25. The condition setting unit 23 outputs the pull-in control condition as an internal constant of the adaptability check device 9 to the comparison verification unit 25. The comparison verification unit 25 compares and verifies whether the vehicle movement instruction signal at the time of pull-in control from the addition unit 24 matches the pull-in control condition based on the selected vehicle production instruction information, and the result signal is OK / NG evaluation unit 26. Output to. The OK / NG evaluation unit 26 evaluates either OK indicating normality or NG indicating abnormality according to the result signal received from the comparison verification unit 25. For example, when a result signal that the vehicle movement instruction signal at the time of pull-in control matches the pull-in control condition based on the selected vehicle production instruction information is received from the comparison verification unit 25, the OK / NG evaluation unit 26 is OK. When the evaluation display is displayed and the result signal indicating that the vehicle movement instruction signal at the time of pull-in control does not match the pull-in control condition based on the selected vehicle production instruction information is received from the comparison verification unit 25, the OK / NG evaluation unit 26 Is NG
Show rating.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
In the simulation device, if the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is tracked by using the seat simulation signal of the simulated signal generator 7, the new introduction automatic is performed at the branch point / confluence point of the conveyor, or at the exit instruction of the PBS device. The control device 3 executes the calculation each time, and the simulator device 1
Although the vehicle movement instruction signal is output to 0, the control algorithm of the new introduction automatic control device 3 is complicated, and it is immediately judged whether the result of the vehicle movement instruction signal calculated by the new introduction automatic control device 3 is correct. It is difficult to carry out, and a lot of man-hours are required for the test adjustment. For this reason, it is also an important adjustment factor to check whether the vehicle movement instruction signal obtained as a result of calculation by the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is correct in parallel with the function ensuring adjustment of the newly introduced automatic control device 3. Therefore, in the simulation apparatus according to the third embodiment, the adaptability check apparatus 9 receives the vehicle movement instruction signal from the newly introduced automatic control apparatus 3 and the vehicle production instruction information from the host computer 1 to perform the pull-in control. The vehicle movement instruction signal is monitored to evaluate the function of the newly introduced automatic control device 3.
The following three points will be described as examples of the evaluation factors, which are relatively easy to judge. (1) Pull-in control (branch designation of conveyor branch point) The output of branch designation based on the lane designation condition of the conveyor is monitored at the branch point of the conveyor existing at the entrance of the PBS device. As the conveyor lane designating condition set in the condition setting unit 23, the conveyor lane designating condition held as a system constant in the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is used. (2) Ratio control (branch designation of conveyor branch point) Since the exit of the PBS device is the confluence point of the conveyor, the movement instruction output (instruction of exit of PBS device) from the conveyor having a plurality of lanes to the next process The vehicle movement instruction signal during the pull-in control is monitored in order to check whether the ratio control is relative to the specified finished product ratio. As the constant of the ratio control as the lane designating condition set in the condition setting unit 23, the proportional constant held as the system constant in the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is used. (3) Monitoring prohibited items (instruction of exit of PBS device exit instruction) Since there is a prohibited item in the exit instruction output of PBS device due to restrictions on equipment, it is checked whether this prohibited item is observed. Therefore, the vehicle movement instruction signal during the pull-in control is monitored. As the constant of the prohibited matter as the lane designating condition set in the condition setting unit 23, the prohibited matter constant held as a system constant in the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is used.

In short, according to the third embodiment, the adaptability checking device 9 is added, so that the adapting performance of the new introduction automatic control device 3 is not manually performed during the function confirmation adjustment of the new introduction automatic control device 3. Since the quality is automatically judged, the simulation work can be performed easily and efficiently, and the cost can be reduced.

Embodiment 4 (corresponding to claims 4 and 8).
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the simulation apparatus of the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the simulator device of the second embodiment, which is illustrated and described as a suitable example when the response performance check function of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is monitored by the offline test, can always be used even online. There is a feature in doing so.

That is, FIG. 7 shows the response of the automatic control device in the online mode by adding the alarm output circuit 19 and the alarm display section 20 to the simulation device having the response performance check function of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 exemplified in the second embodiment. The performance can be monitored. The alarm output circuit 19 is connected to the output side of the comparison verification unit 17, and outputs an alarm output to the alarm display unit 20 by inputting a comparison result corresponding to an abnormality from the comparison verification unit 17. The alarm display unit 20 receiving this alarm output displays an alarm. The alarm display unit 20 can be composed of a buzzer for generating an alarm sound, a voice generating component for generating an alarm term, a light emitting component for generating an alarm color, or the like. Has the advantage that it is easy to catch the alarm even during other work. The alarm output circuit 19 is OK / NG
It is also possible to connect to the evaluation unit 18 and output an alarm output to the alarm display unit 20 by a signal for the alarm output circuit 19 to display the NG evaluation from the OK / NG evaluation unit 18.

Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, by using the output of the alarm output circuit 19 as an alarm display to the operator, the simulator device can be used as a monitor of the automatic control device online. There is an advantage that system down due to an abnormality during actual system operation can be minimized.

Example 5 (corresponding to claims 7 and 8).
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the simulation apparatus of the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the simulator device of the third embodiment, which has been illustrated and described as a suitable example when the adaptive performance check function of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 is monitored by an offline test, can always be used even online. There is a feature in doing so.

That is, FIG. 8 shows that the simulation device having the adaptive performance check function of the newly introduced automatic control device 3 illustrated in the third embodiment is added with the alarm output circuit 19 and the alarm display section 20 to adapt the automatic control device while online. The performance can be monitored. The alarm output circuit 19 is connected to the output side of the comparison verification unit 25, and outputs a warning output to the alarm display unit 20 by inputting a comparison result corresponding to an abnormality from the comparison verification unit 25. The alarm display unit 20 receiving this alarm output displays an alarm. The alarm display unit 20 can be composed of a buzzer for generating an alarm sound, a voice generating component for generating an alarm term, a light emitting component for generating an alarm color, or the like. Has the advantage that it is easy to catch the alarm during other work. The alarm output circuit 19 may be connected to the OK / NG evaluation unit 26, and the alarm output circuit 19 may output an alarm output to the alarm display unit 20 by a signal for displaying the NG evaluation from the OK / NG evaluation unit 26. It is possible.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, by using the output of the alarm output circuit 19 as an alarm display to the operator, the simulator device can be used as a monitor of the automatic control device online. There is an advantage that system down due to an abnormality during actual system operation can be minimized.

Embodiment 6 (corresponding to claims 1 to 8). In the above-mentioned embodiments, the simulation device is used as an example for the automatic control device of the PBS device of the automobile production line. However, other target such as an intermediate storage having a branch / confluence of the conveyor in the production line is used. The same effects can be obtained even when applied to a simulation device that automatically controls.

[0042]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the simulation signal for simulating the controlled object confirmation signal from the equipment side is output to the simulation means for performing the function confirmation adjustment of the automatic control device as the device under test. Because of this configuration, it is possible to perform offline testing in a test environment close to the production line that is actually operated, and it is also possible to reduce the number of local test man-hours, improve test efficiency, shorten the test period and reduce costs. effective.

The simulation device according to the second aspect of the present invention determines the response performance of the automatic control device, that is, whether the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test with respect to the output signal from the simulated signal generation device is output within a specified time. Since the automatic verification is performed, even if the control algorithm of the automatic control device is complicated, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not the response performance of the automatic control device is appropriate.

Since the simulation apparatus of the third invention is configured to automatically perform OK / NG evaluation of the response performance of the automatic control device as the device under test, even if the control algorithm of the automatic control device is complicated. , OK / NG evaluation, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the response performance of the automatic control device is appropriate.

Since the simulation device of the fourth invention is configured to automatically display the abnormality of the response performance of the automatic control device as the device under test, the abnormality display can recognize the abnormality of the response performance, and as a result, The simulator device can be used as a monitor of the automatic control device online, and the system down due to an abnormality during actual system operation can be minimized.

The simulation apparatus of the fifth aspect of the invention automatically verifies the adaptive performance of the automatic control device, that is, whether the output signal from the automatic control device as the device under test matches the output signal from the host computer. Therefore, even if the control algorithm of the automatic control device is complicated, there is an effect that the adaptive performance of the automatic control device, such as whether or not the output signal of the result calculated by the automatic control device is correct, can be judged quickly.

Since the simulation apparatus of the sixth invention is configured to automatically perform OK / NG evaluation of the adaptive performance of the automatic control device as the device under test, even if the control algorithm of the automatic control device is complicated. , OK / NG evaluation, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the adaptive performance of the automatic control device is appropriate.

Since the simulation device of the seventh invention is configured to automatically display an abnormality in the adaptive performance of the automatic control device as the device under test, it is possible to recognize the abnormality in the adaptive performance by the abnormal display, and as a result, The simulator device can be used as a monitor of the automatic control device online, and the system down due to an abnormality during actual system operation can be minimized.

Since the simulation apparatus of the eighth invention is configured such that the verification of the response performance or adaptation performance of the automatic control device as the device under test is individually set in correspondence with the output point, for example, in the production of automobiles. There is an effect that a control algorithm for controlling an intermediate storage having a branch / merge conveyor line in a line can be applied to a complicated automatic control device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a simulation device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a simulation device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a response response check device according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a simulation device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an adaptive performance device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a response / response check device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating an adaptability check device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional simulation apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 host computer, 2 communication line control device, 3 new introduction automatic control device, 4 current automatic control device, 5 simulation means, 6 seat confirmation signal, 7 simulated signal generation device, 8 response performance check device, 9 adaptability check device 10 simulator device, 11 vehicle movement signal reception unit, 12 counter start unit, 13 vehicle movement instruction signal reception unit, 14 counter stop unit, 15 timer counter, 16 reference setting unit, 17 comparison verification unit, 1
8 OK / NG evaluation section, 19 alarm output circuit, 20 alarm display section, 21 vehicle movement instruction signal receiving section, 22 vehicle production instruction information receiving section, 23 condition setting section, 24 addition section, 2
5 Comparative verification section, 26 OK / NG evaluation section.

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location G06F 17/60

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A simulation device having a simulation means for performing a function confirmation adjustment of an automatic control device that can be used in a production line for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer, A simulation device comprising a simulation signal generator for generating a control target simulation signal for simulating a control target confirmation signal from the facility side of the production line and outputting the control target simulation signal to the simulation means. 2. A simulation device provided with a simulation means for making a test object an automatic control device usable in a production line for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer, and for performing function confirmation adjustment of the automatic control device, A simulated signal generator for generating a controlled object simulation signal for simulating a controlled object confirmation signal from the equipment side of the production line and outputting it to the simulation means, an output signal from the simulated signal generator and the automatic control device. A response performance check device that verifies the response performance of the automatic control device by whether the output signal from the automatic control device with respect to the output signal from the simulated signal generator is output within a specified time by reading the output signal of A simulation device characterized by the above. 3. The response performance check device is provided with an OK / NG evaluation section for performing an evaluation depending on whether or not the output time of the output signal from the automatic control device is equal to or longer than a specified time. Item 2. The simulation device according to Item 2. 4. The response detecting device is provided with an abnormality detecting means for displaying an abnormality that the output time of the output signal from the automatic control device is longer than a specified time. Simulation device. 5. A simulation device provided with a simulation means for making a test object an automatic control device that can be used in a production line for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host computer and performing function confirmation adjustment of the automatic control device. A simulated signal generator that generates a controlled object simulation signal that simulates a controlled object confirmation signal that comes up from the equipment side of the production line and outputs it to the simulation means, an output signal from the automatic control device, and a host computer. A simulation device comprising an adaptability check device for reading the output signal and verifying the adaptive performance of the automatic control device whether the output signal from the automatic control device matches the output signal from the host computer. . 6. The adaptability check device is provided with an OK / NG evaluation unit for evaluating whether or not the output signal from the automatic control device matches the output signal from the host computer. The simulation device according to claim 5. 7. The anomaly detection means for displaying anomaly that the adaptability check device does not match the output signal from the automatic control device with the output signal from the host computer. The described simulation device. 8. The production line is composed of an intermediate storage having a branch / merge conveyor line, the control target confirmation signal is composed of a product presence confirmation signal in the conveyor line, and the control target simulated signal is The simulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 5, wherein the simulation apparatus is configured by a simulated seating signal.