EP1301834A1

EP1301834A1 - Method for providing production-related data, especially of motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP1301834A1
Application number: EP01953190A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Gleis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-20
Filing date: 2001-07-03
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Also published as: DE10034606B4; US20040093100A1; DE10034606A1; AU2001275692A1; JP2004505337A; WO2002008841A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing production-related data in the series production of produced objects, especially motor vehicles, according to which production-related data is recorded in at least a part of the production steps of the series production process. The inventive method is characterised in that images of defective sites on the produced objects are recorded with a camera and in that during the production process, the recorded images are transmitted to at least one central device. The inventive method provides a rapid, simple and comfortable means of documenting defects in produced objects. The recorded images and production-related data that may be optionally added to these images are already available at the central device and can be evaluated at a time when the produced object is still in the production process. This facilitates the planning of refinishing considerably, which in turn saves time and reduces costs.

Description

METHOD FOR PROVIDING MANUFACTURING-RELATED DATA, IN PARTICULAR

OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The invention relates to a method of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 for providing production-related data in a series production of production objects, in particular motor vehicles.

A method of the type in question is known from DE 198 29 366 C2. In the known method, a data acquisition device is assigned to each production object, production-related data being entered into the data acquisition device in at least some of the production stages of series production, and the data being at least partially transmitted from the respective data acquisition device to at least one central device during the production process. Because the production-related data recorded by the workers are already available at a central facility during the production process in the method known from the publication, it is no longer necessary to wait with regard to the planning of reworking until a production object covers the entire distance. went through the process. The planning of rework that is carried out on the production object after it has run through the production process can therefore already take place at a time when the production object is still within the production process. This considerably simplifies the planning of rework and leads to time savings and thus cost savings.

In the known method, the identification of errors on the production object can, for example, phically via matrices displayed on a touchscreen. This type of marking of defects is simple and convenient.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, in which the identification of defects on the production objects is further simplified and in which the risk of incorrect entries is reduced.

This object is achieved by the teaching specified in claim 1.

The invention is based on the surprisingly simple idea of no longer identifying defects on production objects using lists or matrices, but instead using a camera to record images of the defects on the production object. These images are then transmitted to at least one central facility during the manufacturing process.

At the central facility, the transmitted images, which are usually self-explanatory, immediately show where an error has occurred in the

Production object exists. In the case of a motor vehicle, for example, the images immediately show whether a part is missing or defective or whether, for example, there is a scratch or a dent in the paint of the motor vehicle. This enables a simple and time-saving evaluation of the manufacturing-related data recorded during the manufacturing process, which represents defects, and thus facilitates the planning of reworking. The central device can be formed, for example, by a server on which the recorded images are archived together with other production-related data, if necessary. The captured images can then be forwarded from the server to rework areas. be directed. However, there may also be several central devices which are arranged in different rework areas. Here it is possible not to transfer all images taken in relation to a production object to all central devices, but only to transfer those images to the respective central device that are relevant for an associated reworking area. For example, images of defects in the paint of a motor vehicle can be transferred to a rework area in which the paint is reworked, while images of defects in the missing components can be transferred to a rework area in which these components are retrofitted.

Because fault locations are recorded by means of the camera, it is generally no longer necessary to mark these fault locations in a different way, for example by entry on a car accompanying card or by manual entry in a

Data acquisition device, as is known from DE 198 29 366 C2. In this way, the risk of incorrect entries is significantly reduced. Due to the visual representation of the fault locations, it is also no longer necessary to design the wagon accompanying card or input masks for the computer-assisted input of fault data in multiple languages or to provide them in different languages if workers of different nationalities are employed in production. Compared to the known method, this leads to considerable simplification and thus to considerable cost savings.

The images of defects can be recorded either as still images or as moving images. Images of defects can be recorded using any suitable camera. For example, the images can be generated with an instant camera or another analog camera. A particularly advantageous development provides, however, that a digital camera is used to record the images of defects. Digital cameras are available as inexpensive standard devices and are easy to use. They also enable high-resolution images. The images can also be saved as digital image data.

In principle, it is possible to transmit the images in analog form to the at least one central device. An expedient development provides, however, that the images are transmitted to the central device as digital image data. In this embodiment, the transfer of the images is possible quickly and with a high data transfer rate. To generate the digital image data representing the images, the images can be recorded from the outset using a digital camera. However, it is also possible to first take the images in analog form, for example using an instant camera, and then digitize the analog images, for example by scanning in using a scanner.

The images are expediently taken by workers. In this way, there is a particularly high degree of flexibility when documenting defects.

An expedient development of the embodiment with the camera provides that the camera is connected to a data acquisition device or is designed as part of a data acquisition device. is If the data acquisition device is formed, for example, by a hand-held computer, the camera can be designed as a separate module and can be connected to the computer via an interface. Basically, it is sufficient for the worker to take the images of defects without optical post-control and to transmit them to the at least one central device. However, it is expedient that the data acquisition device has a display device for displaying the recorded images. In this embodiment, a visual check of the recorded images is made possible by a worker.

An extremely advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the display device is designed as a touchscreen, via which production-related data can be entered into the data acquisition device by a worker. In this embodiment, in addition to the captured images, further production-related data can be input into the data acquisition device and transmitted to the at least one central device. In addition to the captured images, further production-related data can be entered and transmitted. However, it is also possible to manually enter data into the data acquisition device in certain production sections instead of taking pictures of defects.

Basically, it is sufficient to transmit the recorded images to the at least one central facility without postprocessing. An advantageous development of the teaching according to the invention provides that the. if necessary, images taken before transmission to the at least one central facility processing, in particular for the more precise identification and / or closer classification of defects. In this embodiment, the worker can, for example by means of an image processing program, make markings in the recorded images in order to identify defects in more detail, or make handwritten entries.

The data acquisition device can be arranged in a stationary manner, as one embodiment provides. To record production-related data, however, the data acquisition device can also be assigned to a worker, as is provided in another embodiment. The worker always carries the data acquisition device with him in this embodiment, so that the acquisition of production-related data is personal.

However, it is also possible for a data acquisition device to be assigned to each production object at the start of a first predetermined production section of series production, and for the data acquisition device to be permanently assigned to the respective production object up to a second predetermined production section. In this embodiment, the data acquisition device accompanies the production object during the production process, so that production-related data is recorded, in particular the recording of images of defects on the production object, in relation to the production object.

Particularly in the embodiment in which the data acquisition device is assigned to a worker, it is expedient that, preferably before the start of taking pictures of defects, a code is entered or read into the data acquisition device which is the manufacturing object for which the pictures of fault locations are to be recorded, data being transmitted together with the recorded images or separately therefrom to the at least one central device, which contains the code for identifying the production object for which the camera-recorded and the at least one central device transmitted images belong. In this embodiment, a clear assignment of the recorded images to the respective production object is guaranteed. The code can be transmitted to the at least one central device with each recorded image. However, it is also possible for the code to be transmitted before the start of the recording of a plurality of images. All of the images subsequently recorded and transmitted are then clearly assigned to a specific production object. If images of defects are subsequently recorded on another production object, the code assigned to this production object is transmitted to the at least one central device before the transmission of the images begins.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the code for identifying the production object can be entered or read into the data acquisition device in any suitable manner. An advantageous one

A further development of this embodiment provides that the code is transmitted to the data acquisition device in a line-free manner, in particular via a transponder. In this embodiment, the code can be transmitted to the data acquisition device automatically without the participation of a worker. This saves time and therefore costs.

The code for identifying the production object can be any suitable code, with for example a number and / or letter code. A particularly advantageous development provides, however, that the code for identifying the production object is a graphic code, in particular a bar code, and that the graphic code is recorded by the camera. If the graphic code is, for example, a bar code that is attached to the production object, this bar code can be photographed by means of the camera and transmitted to the central device together with the recorded images. The decoding of the bar code can then be carried out at the central device, so that it is no longer necessary to provide a scanner for the bar code at each data acquisition device. This significantly lowers the cost of data collection equipment.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the graphic code can be transmitted together with the captured images or separately therefrom to the at least one central device and can be decoded after the transmission to identify the production object.

However, it is also possible for the graphic code to be decoded before being transmitted to the at least one central device. An extremely advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiments provides that the graphic code is stored and decoded by means of an image processing program. In this embodiment, the graphic code is decoded by means of a computer program on an already existing computer, so that additional hardware for decoding the code is basically no longer required. This reduces the expenditure on equipment when carrying out the method according to the invention. considerable and saves costs considerably.

In principle, it is sufficient if the data acquisition device has the camera for taking pictures of defects. An advantageous further development provides, however, that the data acquisition device has an input device for inputting data. In this embodiment, for example, additional data for the images can be entered and transmitted together with the images to the at least one central device. For example, explanatory texts can be entered for the images using a keyboard or a touch screen, which, for example, identify the location and / or the type of error in more detail. An extremely advantageous development of the aforementioned embodiment provides that the input device has a voice input device for recording voice messages, the voice messages being transmitted together with the recorded images or separately therefrom as additional data to the at least one central device. In this embodiment, the recorded images can be explained in more detail by voice messages. These voice messages can then be listened to at the central facility or by workers who carry out reworking while viewing the recorded images. This results in a high level of user-friendliness, and any reworking that may be required is facilitated, which leads to further time and thus cost savings.

The digital image data can be transmitted to the at least one central device via line or line, in particular by radio. The data acquisition device is expediently a hand-held computer. Such computers are inexpensive and easy to use.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings using an exemplary embodiment.

It shows :

1 shows a schematic representation of a production process sequence in a series production of motor vehicles, the method according to the invention being used to record production-related data, FIG. 2 shows a highly schematic representation of a data acquisition device in the form of a hand-held computer with a digital camera connected to it, Fig. 3 is a photographic representation of a defect in the form of paint damage to a motor vehicle, Fig. 4 in the same representation as Fig. 2

2, wherein by means of

3 on the motor vehicle and shown on the display device of the computer and FIG. 5 in the same representation as FIG. 4

Computer according to FIG. 4, an input mask being shown on the left in FIG. 5, which is displayed on the display device of the computer and is used for the more detailed characterization of fault locations. 1 schematically shows a sequence of series production of production objects which are formed by motor vehicles 10. The manufacturing objects pass through different manufacturing sections, which in this exemplary embodiment are formed by manufacturing sections 12 (press shop), 14 (body shop, painting shop), 16 (pre-assembly), 18 (assembly), 20 (quality assurance) and 22 (final inspection) , wherein each of these manufacturing sections 12 to 22 can be divided into further manufacturing sections.

The production of the motor vehicles 10 takes place in the production sections 12 to 22, the components or assemblies required in each case being provided in the individual production sections 12 and 22 and installed by workers. The manufacturing sections 14 to 22 can be formed, for example, by different areas of an assembly line, not shown in the drawing.

To record production-related data in the series production of motor vehicles 10, data acquisition devices 24 in the form of hand-held computers are provided, which have a digital camera for recording images of fault locations on the motor vehicles 10 and are explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The data acquisition devices 24 each have a transmitting and receiving device, which in this exemplary embodiment is formed by a radio transmitter and receiver, so that the transfer of recorded production-related data to a central device 26 takes place without a line. Error locations in accordance with the invention may be, for example points at which the production object is damaged, such as a motor vehicle comprises a bump, a ^'paint damage or defective component Open has or does not meet specified quality standards, for example when predetermined gap dimensions are exceeded on the body of a motor vehicle. However, fault locations can, for example, also be locations where a component is missing, for example a windshield wiper of a motor vehicle.

In the production sections 12 and 14, the data acquisition devices 24 are each assigned to a worker who always carries the respective data acquisition device 24 with him and who uses the motor vehicles 10 which follow one another in series production for the successive input of production-related data.

In contrast, at the beginning of a first predetermined manufacturing section, in the exemplary embodiment the manufacturing section 16, a data acquisition device 24 is assigned to each motor vehicle 10, the data acquisition device 24 being assigned to the respective motor vehicle 10 up to a second predetermined manufacturing section, in the exemplary embodiment the manufacturing section 22, remains assigned.

The logical assignment of a specific data acquisition device 24 to a specific motor vehicle 10 takes place in that a car identification number of this motor vehicle is entered or read into the data acquisition device 24. This input can be made, for example, via a keyboard or a scanner, with which a barcode attached to the motor vehicle 10 is scanned, which barcode represents the car identification number. In principle, the scanner can be arranged separately from the data acquisition device 24 in a separate device. The car identification number is then used in a suitable manner for the logical assignment of a data acquisition device 24 to the Motor vehicle 10 transmitted to the relevant data acquisition device 24. However, the car identification number can also be transmitted from the motor vehicle 10 to the data acquisition device 24 in a line-free manner, for example via a transponder. The spatial assignment of a data acquisition device 24 to a motor vehicle 10 during the passage through the manufacturing sections 16 to 22 takes place in that a mount is provided on the motor vehicle 10 or in close proximity to it, in the manner of a docking station, into which the data acquisition device 24 can be stored ,

2 shows a highly schematic representation of the data acquisition device 24, which in this exemplary embodiment is formed by a hand-held computer. The data acquisition device has a display device 28 in the form of a screen 28 designed as a touchscreen. Furthermore, the data acquisition device 24 has an input device (not shown in more detail in FIG. 2) for inputting data, which can be formed, for example, by a keyboard and / or a mouse or the like.

According to the invention, images of defects on motor vehicles 10 are recorded in at least some of the production sections 12 to 22 of series production by means of a camera for recording production-related data, and the recorded images are transmitted to the central device 26 during the production process. For this purpose, the data acquisition device 24 has a digital camera 30, which is designed as a separate module and is connected to the data acquisition device 24 via an interface.

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Device 26 can be arranged, for example, in an area in which reworking of the motor vehicles is carried out. However, a plurality of central devices 26 can also be provided, which are arranged in different areas in which different reworking is carried out. The central device 26 can, however, also be formed, for example, by a server on which the recorded images and possibly further production-related data are archived and from which the recorded images are transmitted to the areas in which rework is carried out.

The planning of any reworking of a motor vehicle 10 which may be necessary can thus already take place at a point in time at which this motor vehicle 10 is still within the production process. This considerably simplifies the planning of rework and leads to time savings and thus cost savings. The fact that the flaws are shown on pictures shows immediately what type of flaw it is.

The photographic representation of the defects also facilitates data entry by the worker in the manufacturing process, since it is generally no longer necessary to manually enter production-related data, for example for identifying defects, into the data acquisition device 24.

The assignment of a recorded image to the associated motor vehicle 10 takes place in the exemplary embodiment via the bar code 34, which represents the car identification number of the respective motor vehicle 10. In production sections 12 and 14, in which the detection of defects is personal, For example, the barcode 34 can be photographed by means of the digital camera 30 before each recording of an error location and transmitted together with the respective image to the central device 26, so that the barcode 34 is used to uniquely determine to which specific production object 10 one is located at the central one Means 26 present recording of a fault location belongs.

Decoding of the bar code 34 can take place after the transmission to the central device 26. However, it is also possible for the bar code 34 to be decoded in the data acquisition device 24 before it is transmitted to the central device 26. In the exemplary embodiment, the bar code is decoded in such a way that the bar code 34 photographed by means of the digital camera 30 is stored in digital form in a memory of the data acquisition device 24 and is decoded in the data acquisition device 24 by means of an image processing program.

After decoding by means of the image processing program, the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle 10 is then transmitted to the central device 26 together with the recorded images of fault locations. In this way, the logical assignment of recorded images to the respective motor vehicle 10 is made possible in a simple, quick and cost-effective manner without additional hardware, for example in the form of a scanner for scanning the bar code, being required for this.

In the production sections 16 to 22, in which a data acquisition device 24 is permanently assigned to each motor vehicle 10, the logical assignment of recorded images to the respective motor vehicle 10 For example, by inserting the data capture device 24 into the motor vehicle 10, the barcode 34 is photographed once and decoded in the data capture device 24. The car identification number of the respective motor vehicle 10 to which the data acquisition device 24 is assigned is then transmitted with each image of a fault location recorded in the course of the production sections 16 to 22. If necessary, the recorded images can be post-processed before being transmitted to the at least one central device, in particular for the purpose of more precisely identifying and / or classifying the fault locations. For example, additional markings or the like can be attached to the images by means of an image processing program stored in the memory of the data acquisition device 24.

It is also possible to add additional information to the images. For this purpose, an input mask 36 is shown on the left in FIG. 5, which is displayed, for example, after touching one on the touchscreen 28

Selection field 38 is shown on the touch screen 28. If necessary, the worker can use this input mask 36 to manually enter data which, for example, characterize the type of fault location. For example, with regard to paint damage, you can enter whether it is a dent, a dent or a scratch. It can also be entered, for example, that a certain component is faulty. The manually entered additional data can then be recorded together with the associated one

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Claims

claims

1. Method for providing production-related data in a series production of production objects, in particular motor vehicles,

in which production-related data are recorded in at least part of production sections of series production by a worker using a hand-held data acquisition device having an input device,

characterized,

that images of defects on the production objects are recorded by means of a camera arranged on the data acquisition device and

that the captured images are transmitted to at least one central facility during the manufacturing process.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a digital camera is used to record the images of defects.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the images are transmitted as digital image data to the central device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pictures are taken by workers.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data acquisition device has a display device for displaying the recorded images.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the display device is designed as a touch screen, via which production-related data can be entered into the data acquisition device by a worker.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recorded images are post-processed if necessary before the transmission to the at least one central device, in particular for the more detailed identification and / or classification of the fault locations.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data acquisition device is assigned to a worker.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at the beginning of a first predetermined manufacturing section of series production, each manufacturing object is assigned a data acquisition device and that the data acquisition device remains permanently assigned to the respective manufacturing object up to a second predetermined manufacturing section.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, preferably before the start of taking pictures of defects, a code is entered or read into the data acquisition device which identifies the manufacturing object in which the pictures of defects be identified, and that, together with the recorded images or separately therefrom, data are transmitted to the at least one central device which contain the code for identifying the production object to which the camera-recorded and transmitted to the at least one central device Images belong.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the ^' code is line-bound, in particular via a transponder, is transmitted to the data acquisition device.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the code for identifying the production object is a graphic code, in particular a bar code, and that the graphic code is recorded by the camera.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the graphic code is transmitted together with the recorded images or separately therefrom to the at least one central device and, after the transmission, is decoded to identify the production object.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the graphic code is decoded before the transmission to the at least one central device.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the graphic code is stored and decoded by means of an image processing program.

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device has a voice input device for recording voice messages, wherein the recorded voice messages are transmitted together with the recorded images or separately therefrom as additional data to the images to the at least one central device.

17. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the digital image data and possibly the additional data to the image data line or line-bound, in particular by radio, are transmitted to the at least one central device.