WO2021192305A1

WO2021192305A1 - Control device for notifying device

Info

Publication number: WO2021192305A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/014305
Authority: WO
Inventors: 眞治赤松; 嘉也西浦; 渕義金
Original assignee: 株式会社パトライト
Priority date: 2020-03-27
Filing date: 2020-03-27
Publication date: 2021-09-30

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide a technique with which a worker can establish a working pace without undue difficulty, and with which a delay time can be eliminated. A control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device for a notifying device which issues a notification of information relating to a work process, and is provided with a delay information acquiring unit, a pace determining unit, and an operation control unit. The delay information acquiring unit acquires delay information relating to a delay up to the end of the previous process. The pace determining unit determines the pace at which the notifying device is to operate, in accordance with the acquired delay information. The operation control unit controls the pace at which the notifying device operates, in accordance with the determined pace.

Description

Notification device control device

The present invention relates to a control device for a notification device that notifies information about a process.

Patent Document 1 discloses a time measurement display device that facilitates confirmation and adjustment of elapsed time and remaining time when making a presentation having a fixed time such as a presentation. In this device, a plurality of stages are set in advance in chronological order so that the end time of the previous stage becomes the start time of the current stage. The time measurement display device displays the elapsed time and the remaining time, and the elapsed time and the remaining time of the stage based on the set time and the elapsed time of the measured stage.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-234552

According to Patent Document 1, the presenter can adjust the pace of presentation according to the elapsed time and the remaining time shown on the time measurement display device. However, it is not always easy for the presenter to establish an appropriate pace to absorb the delay due to the previous stage based on the displayed time while actually performing the work of presentation. In addition, sudden notification that the scheduled time has passed may cause psychological pressure on the presenter and cause a decrease in morale. This is true not only in the case of a device assuming a presentation as in Patent Document 1, but also in the case of performing time management of a work process by using a notification device for notifying an operator of information.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows an operator to reasonably establish a work pace even when there is a delay in the process.

The control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device of a notification device that notifies information about a work process, and includes a delay information acquisition unit, a pace determination unit, and an operation control unit. The delay information acquisition unit acquires delay information regarding the delay until the end of the previous process. The pace determination unit determines the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information. The motion control unit controls the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace.

According to this configuration, the operation pace of the notification device is automatically adjusted according to the delay information, and the work pace is naturally established even if the operator is not aware of the delay.

The control device relates to a required time acquisition unit that acquires the required time from the start to the end of the current process, and the delay information regarding the delay until the end of the current process based on the acquired delay information and the required time. It may further include a delay information update unit that updates the delay information.

In the control device, the delay information updating unit may transmit the updated delay information to a control device of another notification device.

According to this configuration, the control device can also cooperate with another control device, and the control device of the other notification device controls the pace at which the other notification device operates based on the updated delay information. Can be done.

In the control device, the pace determination unit determines the pace at which another notification device operates according to the updated delay information, and the operation control unit determines the other notification according to the determined pace. You may control the pace at which the device operates.

According to this configuration, the pace at which a plurality of notification devices operate can be controlled by the same control device.

The control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method of a notification device for notifying information about a work process, and includes the following.
-Obtain delay information regarding the delay until the end of the previous process.
-Determining the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information.
-Controlling the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for controlling a notification device that notifies information about a work process, and causes a computer to execute the following.
-Obtain delay information regarding the delay until the end of the previous process.
-Determining the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information.
-Controlling the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace.

The pacemaker system according to one aspect of the present invention is a pacemaker system that creates a progress pace of a process performed on a plurality of lines, and includes a plurality of notification devices and a plurality of control devices. The plurality of notification devices are assigned to each of the plurality of lines, and notify information about the process performed on the lines. The plurality of control devices are assigned to each of the plurality of notification devices and can communicate with each other. Each of the plurality of control devices has a delay information acquisition unit that acquires delay information regarding the delay until the end of the previous process, and a pace determination unit that determines the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information. An operation control unit that controls the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace, a required time acquisition unit that acquires the required time required from the start to the end of the current process, and the acquired time acquisition unit. It has a delay information update unit that updates the delay information to information related to the delay until the end of the current process based on the delay information and the required time, and transfers the updated delay information to the control device on another line. Configured to send.

According to the present invention, a technique is provided in which a worker can reasonably establish a work pace even if there is a delay in the process.

A block diagram showing a configuration example of a pacemaker system. A block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control device. The figure which shows an example of an assembly line work cycle. The figure which shows an example of the judgment table. The figure which shows an example of the operation of a notification device. The flowchart which shows the processing flow of the control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation of a pacemaker system when a delay occurs. The figure which shows another example of the operation of a pacemaker system when a delay occurs. The block diagram which shows the structure of the pacemaker system which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, the control device, control method, program, and pacemaker system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Control device configuration>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a pacemaker system 1 including control devices 10a to 10d according to the present embodiment. The pacemaker system 1 is a system that adjusts the pace of a plurality of continuous work processes, and can be typically applied to an assembly line such as a production line and a quality inspection line in which work is sequentially performed in a relay manner. In the example shown in FIG. 1, there are lines L1 to L4 as lines constituting the assembly line. The assembly line flows from the upstream line to the downstream line in the order of L1 → L2 → L3 → L4. Usually, this series of assembly line work is repeated.

In such an assembly line, usually, in order to achieve a predetermined result for a predetermined period, a standard of time required from the start to the end of the process, which is also called a takt time, is set for each process. Be done. The reference required time is referred to as standard time ST0. Further, as in the standard time ST0, the number of repetitions of the reference flow work may be set for a predetermined period. The number of repetitions of the reference assembly line work is referred to as the standard number of cycles N. The pacemaker system 1 assists the operator in easily establishing the pace of work in each process based on the standard time ST0. Further, even if a process delay occurs, the pacemaker system 1 guides the operator to establish a reasonable work pace in the subsequent processes without being particularly conscious of the delay, and eliminates the generated delay. Aim.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pacemaker system 1 of the present embodiment includes notification devices 20a to 20 assigned to lines L1 to 4, control devices 10a to 10d for controlling each notification device, and control devices 10a to 10a. Includes time information input devices 40a to d connected to d. Since the notification devices 20a to 20d have a common configuration in the present embodiment, they may be referred to as notification devices 20 without particular distinction below. Similarly, since the control devices 10a to 10d have a common configuration in the present embodiment, they may be referred to as a control device 10 without any particular distinction below. Further, since the time-time information input devices 40a to 40d have a common configuration in the present embodiment, they may be referred to as time-time information input devices 40 without any particular distinction below.

The notification device 20 and the time information input device 40 are driven by a power source (not shown), and are preferably arranged in or near a work space where an operator performs work in each process. The time point information input device 40 is a device for inputting information for specifying the time points at which the current process starts and ends into the control device 10. The time point information input device 40 may be a device that is operated at the timing when the worker starts and ends the work, or automatically detects the start and end of the work by the worker and controls the signal at the detected timing. It may be a detection device that inputs to the device 10. The time information input device 40 may be configured to convert the timing at which the operation is performed by the operator and the timing at which the start and end of the work are detected into time information and input it to the control device 10. However, it may be configured to simply input the signal generated in response to the operator's operation or automatic detection to the control device 10.

The device operated by the worker at the start or end timing of the work is not particularly limited. The time point information input device 40 may be, for example, a switching type or a button type switch device, and when an operator switches the switch device or presses a button of the switch device, the control device 10 sets a start time point or an end time point. You can try to get it. Further, the time information input device 40 may be, for example, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code information reading device, and is displayed on an ID card possessed by the worker, an article to be worked on, a work tool, or the like. The control device 10 can acquire the start time point or the end time point by reading the code. Alternatively, the information reading device may be a non-contact IC chip reading device, and the operator reads the IC chip possessed by the operator, the article to be worked on, the IC chip provided in the work tool, or the like into the reading device. You may let me. Further, the time information input device 40 may be, for example, a touch panel display, and the control device 10 may be configured to acquire a start time point or an end time point when an operator inputs a predetermined input.

Further, the detection device that automatically detects the start or end time of the work is not particularly limited. The detection device may be, for example, an image sensor (camera), an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like. What is detected by these sensors may be the entry and exit of the worker into the work space, or the carry-in and take-out of the work target article into the work space. Alternatively, these sensors may detect that the tools and parts required for the work have been taken out of the predetermined position or returned to the predetermined position.

Note that two or more types of time information input devices 40 may be provided for each line. That is, the input at the start time and the end time may be performed by different types of devices, and for example, two types of devices may be selected in any combination from the above-mentioned devices.

The notification device 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device configured to notify workers and surrounding people of information about the process. The notification device 20 may be, for example, an information notification device such as a voice speaker, various displays, a touch panel display, an electric bulletin board, or a signal indicator light. Alternatively, the notification device 20 may be a displacement device configured such that at least a part thereof is displaced from the reference position with time, thereby notifying the passage of time. The notification device 20 is electrically connected to the control device 10. The notification device 20 and the control device 10 may be configured as separate bodies, or may be configured as an integrated device 30 (30a to d). As will be described later, the notification device 20 functions as a pacemaker for the operator to establish the work pace according to the progress of the assembly line work by controlling the operation pace by the control device 10.

In the present embodiment, the device 30 is a signal indicator lamp in which the notification device 20 and the control device 10 are integrally formed (see FIG. 5). Hereinafter, the signal indicator lamps are also designated by the same reference numerals as those of the device 30, and are referred to as signal indicator lamps 30 (30a to d). The signal indicator light 30 includes three stacked columnar light emitting units 200 as a notification device 20. The control device 10 can independently turn on or blink each light emitting unit 200. The light emitting body of the light emitting unit 200 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one or more light bulbs, a fluorescent lamp, an LED, or the like. Further, the color of the light emitted by the light emitting body may be common to each light emitting unit 200 or may be different for each light emitting unit 200. Further, each light emitting unit 200 may be configured so that the color of the light emitted by the light emitting body can be changed with time.

The signal indicator light 30 further includes a casing 31 connected to the laminated light emitting unit 200. The casing 31 is a substantially columnar shape having a flange portion formed therein, and is configured to be fixed to, for example, a ceiling, a wall surface, a tabletop, or the like. The method of fixing the casing 31 can be appropriately selected, such as screwing, screwing, and bonding with an adhesive.

The control device 10 is composed of a computer as hardware, and is housed inside the casing 31 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the control device 10. The control device 10 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 110, an external interface 120, and a communication interface 130, which are connected to each other via a bus line including a notification device 20 (light emitting unit 200 in this embodiment). There is.

The control unit 100 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like as hardware, and controls the operation of the notification device 20 based on a program and various data. It is composed of. By reading and executing the program 111 stored in the storage unit 110, the control unit 100 virtually reads the delay information acquisition unit 101, the pace determination unit 102, the required time acquisition unit 103, the operation control unit 104, and the delay information update. It operates as a unit 105. The detailed operation of each part 101 to 105 will be described later.

The storage unit 110 is composed of non-volatile and rewritable memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive, and a solid state drive as hardware. The storage unit 110 stores a program 111 for controlling the operation of the notification device 20, a standard time ST0 of the process to which the control device 10 is assigned, and the like. The control device 10 is generated by writing the program 111 from a storage medium 50 such as a USB (universal Serial Bus) memory or a CD-ROM to the storage unit 110.

In the present embodiment, the storage unit 110 stores the standard number of cycles N, the standard time ST0, the determination table TB, and the initial delay information 112. The determination table TB is information for the control device 10 to control the pace of operation of the notification device 20, and the details will be described later. The initial delay information 112 is an initial value of a delay time that can be appropriately set when starting the entire cycle, and is usually set to "no delay (delay time 0 seconds)", but the delay from the previous time is set. It can be set as appropriate when you want to recover or when you want to make progress ahead of schedule. In addition, the storage unit 110 may store, for example, information (model number, etc.) that identifies a product to be produced in advance, a standard number of products produced in a predetermined period, and the like.

The external interface 120 is, for example, a USB port, a dedicated port, or the like, and is an interface for establishing a connection with an external device. The type and number of external interfaces 120 may be appropriately changed according to the type and number of connected external devices. In the present embodiment, the control device 10 is connected to the time information input device 40 via the external interface 120.

The communication interface 130 is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication via a network, and may be, for example, a wired LAN module, a wireless LAN module, or the like. By using the communication interface 130, the control device 10 can perform communication via the network with another device (for example, another control device 10).

<2. Notification device control method>
Hereinafter, a method for controlling the operation pace of the notification device 20 will be described using the assembly line work cycle illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a standard progress schedule of the steps in lines L1 to 4 according to the present embodiment. However, for convenience of explanation, the standard number of cycles N is assumed to be 4. The down arrow in FIG. 3 is the time axis, and the marked squares represent one work step performed on the lines L1 to L4. That is, the processes existing at the same position on the time axis represent the processes that proceed simultaneously on different lines. Also, in the same line, the lower the position of the square (the branch number of the code increases), the more the square represents the later process in chronological order. The arrows connecting the squares represent the movement of one unit of articles W1 to W4 to be worked on.

Articles W1 to W4 are, for example, work-in-process, products to be inspected, etc., and may be the same type of articles or different articles. Hereinafter, articles W1 to 4 may be referred to as article W without particular distinction.

The entire process starts from process 1-1 of line L1. In step 1-1, work is performed on the article W1. When the step 1-1 is completed, the article W1 is delivered to the line L2, the step 2-1 is started, and the step 1-2 is started on the line L1 to perform the work on the article W2. When the simultaneously parallel steps 1-2 and 2-1 are completed, the article W2 is delivered to the line L2 and the article W1 is delivered to the line L3, and the process 2-2 and the process 3-1 are started and the line is started. In L1, steps 1-3 are started, and work on the article W3 is performed. In this way, the articles W1 to 4 are sequentially delivered from the line L1 to L2, from L2 to L3, from L3 to L4, and from the upstream line to the downstream line, and each time the process on line 4 is completed. In addition, one cycle of assembly line work is completed. When the steps 4-4 are completed, all the steps are completed. In other words, the assembly line work is completed for 4 cycles, and all the work for the articles W1 to W4 is completed.

The standard cycle time required for one cycle of assembly line work can be calculated by (ST0) x (number of lines). For example, assuming that the standard time ST0 is 15 minutes and the number of lines is 4, the cycle time is 60 minutes. The cycle time is a guideline for the working time required for the article W per unit. As will be described later, the pacemaker system 1 not only recovers the delay in one cycle, but also, even if the time required for one cycle exceeds 60 minutes as a result, the excess is exceeded in a later cycle. Induce the pace of progress of the process so that the minutes are shortened.

Workers on each line can establish an appropriate work pace by performing work while visually checking the display of the signal indicator light 30. That is, the signal indicator light 30 functions as a pacemaker for workers on each line. The signal indicator lights 30 can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly in order to share information on the delay on each line.

The control device 10 of the signal indicator light 30 lights or blinks the light emitting unit 200 according to the pace according to the delay time Td up to the previous process. In the present embodiment, the operating paces P1 to P4 of the light emitting unit 200 according to the degree of the delay time Td up to the previous step are predetermined, and the program 111 of the control device 10 is based on the operating paces P1 to P4. A code for controlling the light emitting unit 200 is included. In the present embodiment, the operation paces P1 to P4 are selected by the pace determination unit 102 based on the determination table TB stored in the storage unit 110 of the control device 10. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10 notifies the operator of the work pace distribution by controlling the operation of the light emitting unit 200 based on the pace selected by the pace determination unit 102.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the judgment table TB. The determination table TB includes a delay time Td, ranks A to D of the corresponding delay times, and operating paces P1 to P4 of the light emitting unit 200. As shown in FIG. 4, if the delay time Td is 120 seconds or less, rank A corresponds. Rank A means that the process is proceeding ahead of schedule, no delay has occurred, or the degree of delay is within the permissible range, and the pace P1 is selected as the operation pace. If the delay time Td is 180 seconds or less, rank B corresponds. Rank B means that the degree of delay is small, and pace P2 is selected as the movement pace. If the delay time Td is within 240 seconds, rank C corresponds. Rank C means that the degree of delay is medium, and pace P3 is selected as the movement pace. If the delay time Td is within 300 seconds, rank D corresponds. Rank D means that the degree of delay is large, and the pace P4 is selected as the movement pace. The operation paces P1 to P4 will be described later.

In the present embodiment, when the delay time Td exceeds 300 seconds, it is judged that it is difficult to absorb the delay in the subsequent process by adjusting the pace of the operator, so rank A is supported.

The determination of the degree of delay and the threshold value of the delay time Td can be appropriately set according to the number of lines, the standard time ST0, the standard number of cycles N, the work content, the skill level of the worker, and the like. Further, the threshold value of the delay time Td may be expressed not as an absolute value but as a ratio with respect to the standard time ST0.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the light emitting unit 200. The light emitting unit 200 operates according to a basic pattern of transition from (a) to (b) to (c) to (d) with the passage of time. (A) is a standby state before the start of the process. In the standby state, none of the light emitting units 200 is lit. Alternatively, the light emitting unit 200 may be lit in a predetermined standby pattern representing a standby state, or at least one light emitting unit 200 may be lit with a brightness lower than usual. (B) is the first lighting state from the start of the process to the passage of time T1, and only the lowest light emitting unit 200 is lit. (C) is the second lighting state from the time when the time T1 has passed to the time when the time T2 has passed, and in addition to the lowest light emitting unit 200, the intermediate light emitting unit 200 is turned on. (D) is the third lighting state from the time when the time T2 has passed to the time when the time T3 has passed, and all the light emitting units 200 are turned on. If the process is completed before the elapse of the time T3, the light emitting unit 200 returns to the standby state of (a), transitions to the first lighting state of (b) with the start of a new process, and repeats the above-mentioned basic pattern.

Further, if the process is not completed even after the lapse of time T3, the light emitting unit 200 transitions to the delay warning state of (e). In the delay warning state, all the light emitting units 200 blink, or the light emitting color changes while all the light emitting units 200 are lit, indicating that the process is delayed with respect to the pace selected by the pace determining unit 102. Notify workers, etc. After that, when the step is completed, the light emitting unit 200 returns to the standby state of (a), transitions to the first lighting state of (b) with the start of a new step, and repeats the above-mentioned basic pattern.

The above-mentioned basic pattern and delay warning state are common to the operation paces P1 to P4, but the settings of the times T1 to 3 are different for each pace. The operating pace P1 is a pace adjusted to the standard time ST0, for example, T1 = T2 = T3 = 5 minutes. The operation pace P2 is a pace that shortens the standard time ST0 by 30 seconds, for example, T1 = T2 = T3 = 4 minutes and 50 seconds. Alternatively, any one of T1 to 3 may be shortened by 30 seconds, such as T1 = 4 minutes and 30 seconds and T2 = T3 = 5 minutes. The operation pace P3 is a pace that shortens the standard time ST0 by 60 seconds, for example, T1 = T2 = T3 = 4 minutes and 40 seconds. Alternatively, any one of T1 to 3 may be shortened by 60 seconds, such as T1 = 4 minutes and T2 = T3 = 5 minutes. The operation pace P3 is a pace that shortens the standard time ST0 by 90 seconds, for example, T1 = T2 = T3 = 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Alternatively, the shortening time may differ between T1 to 3, such as T1 = 4 minutes, T2 = 4 minutes and 30 seconds, and T3 = 5 minutes.

In this way, in the pacemaker system 1, it is assumed that the time is expected to be shortened within a reasonable range by adjusting the work pace, and depending on the degree of delay, the notification device in the process after the delay occurs. The movement pace of 20 is automatically changed. Here, since the operation pattern of the notification device 20 is common to the operation paces P1 to P4, the operator is naturally guided to shorten the work time without being particularly conscious of the delay. Therefore, it is preferable that the movement pace is changed without notifying the operator to that effect.

<3. Control device operation>
Hereinafter, the operation of the pacemaker system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing of the notification device 20 of the control device 10. The control process of the control device 10 starts, for example, when the power of the control device 10 is turned on, and when the power of the control device 10 is turned off, or when the line to which the control device 10 is assigned is performed N times. When finished, it becomes the end. The number of times the process is completed can be counted, for example, by counting the number of times the work end time is input to the control device 10.

In step S1, the delay information acquisition unit 101 acquires the delay information until the end of the previous process. Here, in order for the worker to start a new process (current process), the article W is delivered from the line one upstream, and the process one before the current process is completed in the own line as well. It is necessary to be. As shown in FIG. 3, in the standard schedule, the timings of both are aligned, but in reality, the timings of both are often back and forth. Therefore, the "pre-process" is the process that is completed later, out of the process in the line one upstream and the process one before in the own line.

In the present embodiment, the delay information until the end of the previous process is the delay time Td derived from the first delay time and the second delay time. The first delay time is the accumulated delay time in the assembly line work of the same cycle, and can be the accumulation of the time exceeding the standard time ST0 in each line. The first delay time can be obtained from the control device 10 on the line one upstream. The delay information acquisition unit 101 stores the acquired first delay time in the RAM of the storage unit 110 or the control unit 100.

The first delay time is not the cumulative delay time itself, but the delay information acquisition unit 101 derives the cumulative delay time such as the standard end time and the actual end time of the process of the line one upstream. May be possible information. The first delay time can be set to 0 when there is no delay in one cycle of assembly line work and when the line is the most upstream (when the line is line L1).

The second delay time is the cumulative delay time in the line to which the control device 10 is assigned, and can be the cumulative time exceeding the standard time ST0 in each process in the line. As will be described later, the required time of the process is acquired by the required time acquisition unit 103 based on the start time point and the end time point, and is stored in the RAM of the storage unit 110 or the control unit 100. If there is no delay in the process on the line, the second delay time is zero. The delay information acquisition unit 101 compares the first delay time and the second delay time, and sets the larger one as the delay time Td.

In the following step S2, the pace determination unit 102 reads the determination table TB from the storage unit 110, and selects (determines) the rank and the operation pace of the light emitting unit 200 according to the acquired delay time Td from the determination table TB. That is, the pace determination unit 102 determines the time to be shortened in the current process.

In step S3, the required time acquisition unit 103 acquires the start time point of the current process via the time point information input device 40.

When the start time point of the current process is acquired, steps S4 and S5 start at the same time. In step S4, the required time acquisition unit 103 measures the required time of the current process. Further, in step S5, the operation control unit 104 controls the operation of the light emitting unit 200 based on the operation pace selected in step S2. Steps S4 and S5 continue until the required time acquisition unit 103 acquires the end time point of the current process, and ends when the required time acquisition unit 103 acquires the end time point of the current process.

In step S6, the delay information updating unit 105 derives the actual shortening time that could actually be shortened in the current process from the required time in the current process, and updates the delay time Td to the time until the end of the current process. For example, if the actual shortening time is 20 seconds, the delay time after the update is (Td-20) seconds. If the actual shortening time is 0 seconds, the delay time after the update remains Td seconds, and if the actual shortening time is -10 seconds (10 seconds delay), the delay time after the update is (Td + 10). ) Seconds.

In step S7, the delay information updating unit 105 transmits the updated delay time as delay information to another control device 10 assigned to the line one downstream. In this way, step S1 starts in the control device 10 on the line one downstream. The delay information updating unit 105 transmits the updated delay time not only to the control device 10 one downstream but also to all the other control devices 10 included in the pacemaker system 1, and the entire control device 10 is updated. Delay information may be shared. In this case, the control device 10 on the upstream side adds the transmitted delay time to the first delay time, and the delay remaining when the flow work of one cycle is completed is the delay in the flow work of the subsequent cycles. It can also be treated as.

The control device 10 repeats steps S1 to S7 until the process on the line is repeated N times. When the Nth step is completed on the line, the process is completed.

<4. Pacemaker system operation example>
Hereinafter, the operation of the control devices 10a to 10d when a delay occurs in the assembly line work cycle shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the example shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation of the pacemaker system 1 when a delay of 3 minutes and 30 seconds occurs in the process 1-2 of the line L1. When the end time point of step 1-2 is input, the delay information updating unit 105 of the control device 10a updates the delay time, which was 0 seconds at the start of the process, and sets the delay time to 210 seconds. The delay information updating unit 105 transmits the updated delay time to the control device 10b as delay information.

In line L2, when step 1-2 is completed, the delay information acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10b acquires the delay information from the control device 10a. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10b selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 210 seconds, it is determined to be rank C, and the operation pace P3 is selected. When the article W2 is delivered from the line L1, step 2-2 starts. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10b operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P3 in order to shorten the step 2-2 by 60 seconds.

Assuming that step 2-2 is shortened by 60 seconds on line L2, the delay time is updated to 150 seconds by the delay information update unit 105 of the control device 10b. The delay information updating unit 105 of the control device 10b transmits the updated delay time to the control device 10c as delay information.

In line L3, when step 2-2 is completed, the delay information acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10c acquires the delay information from the control device 10b. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10c selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 150 seconds, it is determined to be rank B, and the operation pace P2 is selected. When the article W2 is delivered from the line L2, step 3-2 starts. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10c operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P3 in order to shorten the step 3-2 by 30 seconds.

Assuming that step 3-2 is shortened by 30 seconds on line L3, the delay time is updated to 120 seconds by the delay information update unit 105 of the control device 10c. The delay information updating unit 105 of the control device 10c transmits the updated delay time to the control device 10d as delay information.

In line L4, when step 3-2 is completed, the delay information acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10d acquires the delay information from the control device 10c. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10d selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 120 seconds, it is determined to be rank A, and the operation pace P1 is selected. After that, the article W3 is delivered from the line L3 to the line L4, and the step 4-2 starts. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10d controls the light emitting unit 200 at the pace P1. Assuming that the step 4-2 is completed in the standard time of 15 minutes, the time required to produce the article W2 is 62 minutes.

On the other hand, if process 3-2 cannot be shortened on line L3 and process 3-2 is completed in the standard time of 15 minutes, the delay time remains at 150 seconds. In this case, the control device 10d determines that the delay time is rank B, and controls the light emitting unit 200 at the pace P2. Assuming that step 4-2 is shortened by 30 seconds, the time required to produce the article W2 is 62 minutes as in the above case.

On line L1, process 1-3 starts in parallel with the start of process 2-2. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10a selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 210 seconds, it is determined to be rank C, and the operation pace P3 is selected. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10a operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P3 in order to shorten the process by 60 seconds.

Assuming that process 1-3 is shortened by 60 seconds on line L1, the delay time is updated to 150 seconds by the delay information update unit 105 of the control device 10a. The delay information updating unit 105 of the control device 10a transmits the updated delay time to the control device 10b as delay information.

In line L2, when steps 1-3 are completed, the delay information acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10b acquires the delay information from the control device 10a. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10b selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 150 seconds, it is determined to be rank B, and the operation pace P2 is selected. When the article W3 is delivered from the line L1, steps 2-3 start. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10b operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P2 in order to shorten the steps 2-3 by 30 seconds.

Assuming that process 2-3 is shortened by 30 seconds on line L2, the delay time is updated to 120 seconds by the delay information update unit 105 of the control device 10b. The delay information updating unit 105 of the control device 10b transmits the updated delay time to the control device 10c as delay information.

In line L3, when the steps 2-3 are completed, the delay information acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10c acquires the delay information from the control device 10b. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10c selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 120 seconds, it is determined to be rank A, and the operation pace P1 is selected. When the article W3 is delivered from the line L2, step 3-3 starts. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10c operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P1. Assuming that both step 3-3 and subsequent steps 4-3 are completed in the standard time of 15 minutes, the time required to produce the article W3 is 58 minutes and 30 seconds, which is shortened by 1 minute and 30 seconds. It will be.

On line L1, process 1-4 starts in parallel with the start of process 2-3. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10a selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 150 seconds, it is determined to be rank B, and the operation pace P2 is selected. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10a operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P2 in order to shorten the process by 30 seconds.

Assuming that steps 1-4 are shortened by 30 seconds on line L1, the delay time is updated to 120 seconds by the delay information update unit 105 of the control device 10a. The delay information updating unit 105 of the control device 10a transmits the updated delay time to the control device 10b as delay information.

When the steps 1-4 are completed, the delay information acquisition unit 101 of the control device 10b acquires the delay information from the control device 10a. The pace determination unit 102 of the control device 10b selects the corresponding pace from the determination table TB based on the delay time. Since the delay time is 120 seconds, it is determined to be rank A, and the operation pace P1 is selected. When the article W4 is delivered from the line L1, step 2-4 starts. The operation control unit 104 of the control device 10b operates the light emitting unit 200 at the operation pace P1. Assuming that step 2-4 and subsequent steps 3-4 and 4-4 are all completed in the standard time of 15 minutes, the time required to produce the article W4 is 59 minutes and 30 seconds, which is shortened by 30 seconds. It will be. That is, the time exceeding the standard by 2 minutes during the production of the article W2 is absorbed by the production of the article W3 and the article W4, and the generated delay time is eliminated within the permissible range at the end of the whole cycle.

<5. Features>
As described above, in the pacemaker system 1, the pace of each process is adjusted with the aim of eliminating the delay time within the permissible range at the end of all cycles. That is, the pacemaker system 1 does not notify the operator of the subsequent process of the delay time and the time limit, and does not force the work time to be shortened. Further, since the operation is performed so as to make the worker aware of the pace, the psychological burden on the worker is reduced as compared with the case where the delay is suddenly notified after the lapse of a predetermined time. Therefore, the feeling of oppression and fatigue felt by the operator throughout the entire cycle is reduced, and the delay time can be recovered without deteriorating the quality of work.

<6. Modification example>
Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following changes can be made. In addition, the gist of the following modified examples can be combined as appropriate.

(1) As described above, the notification device 20 is not limited to the light emitting unit 200. The notification device 20 may be, for example, a speaker configured to repeatedly emit music or the like a predetermined number of times during the standard time ST0. In this case, the operating pace of the notification device 20 may be the rhythm of the music to be emitted. Further, the notification device 20 may be, for example, various displays, a touch panel display, an electric bulletin board, or the like configured to display animation or flowing character information. In this case, the operating pace of the notification device 20 may be the pace at which the animation graphic or character information progresses. Further, the notification device 20 may be, for example, a displacement device configured to gradually approach the operator, rise from below, or rotate with the passage of time. In this case, the operating pace of the notification device 20 may be the pace at which the moving portion is displaced.

(2) In the above embodiment, the determination table TB common to each control device 10 is stored, but the content of the determination table TB may differ depending on the control device 10. For example, the control device 10 of the line, which is expected to reduce the work time more depending on the difficulty of the work on the line, the skill level of the worker, etc., is faster than the rank determination of the delay time Td. A determination table corresponding to the pace may be stored. On the contrary, the control device 10 of the line in which the expected reduction in working time is relatively small may store a determination table in which a slower pace corresponds to the rank determination of the delay time Td.

(3) The algorithm for determining the operation pace with respect to the delay time Td does not have to depend on the determination table TB, and can be appropriately selected. For example, the time to be shortened per process may be uniformly determined, and the operating pace of the notification device 20 in each process may be determined accordingly. An example is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows another example of the operation of the pacemaker system 1 when a delay of 3 minutes and 30 seconds (210 seconds) occurs in step 1-2 in the assembly line work cycle of FIG. 3, as in FIG. 7. In the example of FIG. 8, the time to be shortened is uniformly set to 30 seconds, and steps 1-3, 1-4, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 3-2 and 4-2 are 30 respectively. The delay is recovered by reducing the time by seconds. As described above, the operation pace determination algorithm for the delay time Td may be selected according to the number of lines, the standard number of cycles N, the delay time Td, or the like, or a plurality of algorithms may be used in combination.

(4) The control device 10 does not have a one-to-one correspondence with the notification device 20, but collectively controls the operations of the n notification devices 20 assigned to the n lines as shown in FIG. It may be a centralized control device configured to do so. In this case, the control device 10 may be a general-purpose personal computer, or may be connected to each notification device 20 and the time information input device 40 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The control device 10 may perform the control process shown in FIG. 6 in parallel for each notification device 20. The delay information acquisition unit 101 may measure the process required time of each line via the time point information input device 40, and acquire the delay time Td based on the information collected from each line. The pace determination unit 102 may determine the time to be shortened and the notification device 20 to change the operation pace according to the progress of the entire line.

(5) The time information input device 40 may be integrally configured with the notification device 20, and the required time acquisition unit 103 may be provided in the notification device 20. When the control device 10 is a centralized control device, the required time acquisition unit 103 of the notification device 20 may be configured to feed back the time required to complete the current process to the control device 10. In this case, the control device 10 can update the delay time Td based on the feedback information from each notification device 20.

1 Pacemaker system 10 Control device 20 Notification device 101 Delay information acquisition unit 102 Pace determination unit 103 Time required measurement unit 104 Operation control unit 105 Delay information update unit TB judgment table

Claims

It is a control device of a notification device that notifies information about a work process.
A delay information acquisition unit that acquires delay information related to the delay until the end of the previous process,
A pace determining unit that determines the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information, and
It includes an operation control unit that controls the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace.
Control device.
The required time acquisition unit that acquires the required time from the start to the end of the current process,
A delay information update unit for updating the delay information to delay information regarding the delay until the end of the current process is further provided based on the acquired delay information and the required time.
The control device according to claim 1.
The delay information update unit transmits the updated delay information to a control device of another notification device.
The control device according to claim 2.
The pace determination unit determines the pace at which another notification device operates according to the updated delay information, and the operation control unit determines the pace at which the other notification device operates according to the determined pace. To control,
The control device according to claim 2.
It is a control method of a notification device that notifies information about a work process.
Acquiring delay information regarding the delay until the end of the previous process,
Determining the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information,
Controlling the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace,
To prepare
Control method.
A program for controlling a notification device that notifies information about a work process.
Acquiring delay information regarding the delay until the end of the previous process,
Determining the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information,
Controlling the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace,
Let the computer run
program.
A pacemaker system that creates the pace of progress of processes performed on multiple lines.
A plurality of notification devices assigned to each of the plurality of lines and transmitting information regarding processes performed on the lines, and a plurality of notification devices.
A plurality of control devices assigned to each of the plurality of notification devices and capable of communicating with each other,
With
Each of the plurality of control devices
A delay information acquisition unit that acquires delay information related to the delay until the end of the previous process,
A pace determining unit that determines the pace at which the notification device operates according to the acquired delay information, and
An operation control unit that controls the pace at which the notification device operates according to the determined pace, and
The required time acquisition unit that acquires the required time from the start to the end of the current process,
A delay information update unit that updates the delay information to information related to the delay until the end of the current process based on the acquired delay information and the required time.
And is configured to transmit the updated delay information to the controller on another line.
Pacemaker system.