JPH04162101A - Production control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the interruption of a machining process carried out by an automatic machine by counting the output frequency of the data outputted to an ID plate reader through an ID plate and judging the consumption of a battery from a fact whether the count value of the data output frequency reaches a prescribed level or not. CONSTITUTION:A control data storage means B (ID plate) is provided to a work A to store and transmit the control data (ID data) showing the contents of the processing applied to the work A with a battery used as a power supply. A transmission frequency control means M consists of a counter means F which counts the ID data transmission frequency, a reference value storage means G which stores the ID data transmission frequency showing the time of replacement of the battery as the reference value, a comparing/deciding means H which compares the reference value with the count value of the means F and judged the time of replacement of the battery when the coincidence is obtained between both values, and a warning means I which urges a worker to replace the battery based on the judged result of the means H. In such a constitution, the machining process of an automatic machine is never interrupted.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Industrial Application Field J The present invention is applied to an automatic production line such as an automatic assembly line for automobiles, etc., to ensure the exchange of data regarding the work content of each process. It is related to production management system.

"Prior Art" Generally, on an automobile assembly line, a wide variety of automobiles with different types, derived models, optional specifications, etc. are produced on the same line.

In such an assembly line, it is necessary to perform the appropriate type of processing for the automobile (workpiece) in each of the various processing steps. , ID plates are attached to conveyance means such as pallets that convey workpieces along the line. In other words, this ID plate has
Information for identifying the workpiece (number) and data related to the processing content (operation factor data) according to the car model, derived model, optional specifications, etc. are recorded, and these data are used in each processing process. The data read from the ID plate causes the automatic machine of the process to perform an operation based on a corresponding operation program.

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention J'' By the way, in the above-mentioned assembly line, when the information (number) and operation factor data recorded on the ID plate are read by the ID plate reading device, first The plate reading device outputs a calling signal to the ID plate, and furthermore, on the condition that the calling signal is received, the ID plate sends information (number) and operation factor data to the ID plate a loading device. It is designed to be output.

On the other hand, in the ID plate, there is an I
A battery such as a lithium battery is provided to force information (number) and operation factor data to the D plate reading device.
It is used to send information (nanno/-) and operating factor data to the plate reading device, and when it runs out, the processing process by the automatic machine will be interrupted, so please be aware that the battery is running out. It is necessary to manage whether or not there are any.

Management of whether the battery is exhausted is carried out by measuring the voltage of the battery and checking whether the voltage value of the battery has decreased, or if the battery mentioned above is a lithium battery, for example. In some cases, the voltage of the battery remains high until the end of its life, and the voltage drops only when it is about to reach the end of its life, so simply monitoring the voltage will cause the battery to run out. It was unclear whether the equipment was being used or how much it had been used, and a solution to this issue was desired.

This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it counts the number of times the ID plate outputs data to the ID plate reading device, and determines whether or not the count reaches a predetermined number of times. I/I in a production management system that can determine when the machine has been exhausted and allow the automatic machine to continue processing without interruption.
The purpose is to provide a D plate management device.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

That is, the control data is provided on each of the plurality of workpieces A flowing through the production line and moves together with the workpieces, and the control data indicating the content of the processing to be performed on the workpiece is recorded. A control data storage means B that stores and transmits control data using a battery as a power source; a reading means C that reads the control data transmitted from the control data storage means B; and control data read by the reading means C. The control means includes a control means for controlling the automatic machine E to perform a predetermined process on a workpiece at a specific position, and further includes a control means for controlling the automatic machine E to perform a predetermined process on a workpiece at a specific position, and further comprising a control means for transmitting control data from the control data storage means B to the reading means C. a reference value storage means G that stores as a reference value the number of control data transmissions indicating the time to replace the battery; and a reference value, and determines that it is time to replace the battery if these values match; and this comparison and determination means H.
Based on the comparative judgment result, a warning means I is provided to prompt the operator to replace the battery.

Effect J With the above configuration, each time the count value of the counting means is updated, the count value is compared with the reference value stored in the reference value storage means, and if these values match, the battery By prompting workers to replace batteries when the time has come to replace them, the service life of batteries such as lithium batteries, which can become unusable due to a sudden drop in voltage, can be effectively managed without being based on voltage. can do.

"Embodiment" Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the basic flow of an automobile as a workpiece in a production line to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the figure, the reference numeral IA indicates an automobile body as a workpiece that has been subjected to treatments such as painting and welding in a pre-process (not shown) and then sent to this process.

This automobile is transported on a line by a transport means such as a self-propelled Fumaμ・ytoPa shown in FIG. It can be installed using a robot R.

The automobile IA that has gone through this first process 1 is installed in a second process 2, such as a bumper, engine, and suspension system.

Furthermore, in the third step 3, fourth step 4, fifth step 5, and sixth step 6, the automobile IA that has undergone the second step 2 is injected with, for example, brake fluid, and a battery or the like is inserted. It is now possible to do so.

The work shown in the third to sixth steps is as follows:
Each robot R, which is an automatic machine, performs each operation.

Note that the above process is performed on one floor of the factory (for example, the - floor), and the cars that have been sent through processes such as body welding and painting on another floor (for example, the second floor) are The execution is carried out while being mounted on a movable pallet or the like and moving within the above-mentioned two floors. Also,
Since the automobile that has gone through the steps shown in the figure is capable of self-propulsion by supplying fuel, it is unloaded from the pallet and processed to become a completed vehicle.

Next, operation data (
The ID plate 100 in which the operating factor code) is stored will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, this ID plate 100 is attached to the side of the pallet Pa on which the automobile IA is mounted, and the memory of this ID plate 100 has the following information as shown in FIG. A body-specific information storage area 101 that stores body-specific information of an automobile IA mounted on a barre (barrette) Pa to which the ID plate 100 is attached, and an operation factor that indicates the content of processing to be performed on the automobile IA in each step. An operating factor code storage area 102 in which a code is stored is provided.

The information stored in the body specific information storage area 101 includes the vehicle IA number n, model, model year, etc., and the operation factor code stored in the operation factor code storage area 102 includes the robot From among multiple motion patterns for causing R to perform motions, the vehicle I
There is data etc. for selecting the most suitable one according to the type of A (car model).

Here, to briefly explain the writing and reading of body specific information and operation factor code (hereinafter referred to as ID data (control data shown in claims)) to the ID plate 100, writing of the ID data, and reading is indicated by reference numeral 103 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
This is carried out in a non-contact manner using microwaves transmitted and received to and from read/write antennas indicated by 107 to 107.

Specifically, the writing of the ID data is performed in the ID data writing section 10 provided upstream of the series of steps 1 to 6 described above. In this ID data writing section 10, the read/write antenna 103 is arranged in a positional relationship facing the ID plate 100 attached to the pallet Pa, and the read/write antenna 103 is arranged in a positional relationship facing the ID plate 100 attached to the pallet Pa. ID data is written to the ID plate 100 according to instructions from a control unit 12 connected to the ID plate 11.

Further, the reading of the ID data is carried out using the read/write antennas 104 to 104 provided for each of the above-mentioned series of steps 1 to 6.
107. This read/write antenna 10
4 to 107 are arranged in a positional relationship facing the ID plate 100 attached to the pallet Pa, read the ID data stored in the ID plate 100, and control the corresponding control units 13 to 15. supply.

The control units 13 to 15 store a plurality of work programs that cause the robot y R to perform predetermined operations, and the control units 13 to 15 store a plurality of work programs that cause the robot y R to perform predetermined operations. One of the optimal work programs is selected, and the selected work program is used to cause the automobile IA on the pallet Pa to perform a predetermined work.

Further, the automobile body IA shown in the above configuration corresponds to the workpiece A of the present invention, the ID plate 100 corresponds to the control data storage means B of the present invention, and the read/write antennas 104 to 107 correspond to the reading means of the present invention. C, the control units 13 to 15 correspond to the control means of the present invention, and the robot R corresponds to the automatic machine E of the present invention.

In addition, the ID play F100 also contains vehicle type information as well as the vehicle ID located at the current time of each work process 1 to 6.
Operation factor code indicating the work content for A (l N0I
In addition to being stored (corresponding to IJ), an operation factor code F (r
NEXTl(NEXT2.NEXT3)J) is stored.

Hereinafter, reading of ID data by the read/write antennas 104 to 107 will be explained in detail.The read/write antennas 104 to 107 send a microwave calling signal to the ID plate 100, as shown in FIG. (This signal is shown by the symbol (A) in FIG. 3), and on the condition that this calling signal is received by the ID plate 100, the ID play 1-100 will output the ID plate 100. The ID data stored in the plate 100 is output as microwave to the read/write antennas 104 to 107 (this signal is indicated by the symbol (b) in FIG. 3).

The read/write antennas 104 to 107 are
ID play) After receiving the ID data sent from the ID play 100, it is supplied to each of the control units 13 to 15 described above.

On the other hand, a lithium battery is built in the ID plate 100, and this lithium battery serves as a power source for transmitting ID data to be outputted to the read/write antennas 104 to 107, and a memory for storing the ID data. 'r4 source for memory bank up for keeping records,
writing ID data to a control data storage section provided in the ID plate 100 and storing ID data;
It is now used as a driving power source for reading.

Further, the lithium battery is consumed according to the number of times ID data is transmitted from the ID plate 100 to each read/write antenna 104 to 107, which requires relatively large power.
It is time to replace the ID data when the number of times the ID data is transmitted from the antenna to each of the read/write antennas 104 to 107 reaches a predetermined number of times.
, or the control units 13 to 15 to which the ID data is supplied.
Either one is provided with a transmission number management means M for managing the number of transmissions of ID data.

Hereinafter, an example in which the number of calls management means M is provided in the ID plate 100 and an example in which it is provided in the control units 13 to I5 will be described with reference to FIG.

(-) When the number of outgoing calls management means M is provided in the ID plate 100 (the signal flow at this time is indicated by the symbol ■)
, ” The transmission number management means M includes a counting means F that increments a count value (initial value is O) by 1 on the condition that the ID data has been transmitted, and a count means F that increases the number of ID data transmissions indicating the time to replace the lithium battery. Every time the count value of the reference value storage means G stored as a reference value and the count value of the counting means F are updated (increased by 1), the reference value and the count value are compared, and if these values match, It is composed of a comparison judgment means H that determines that it is time to replace the battery, and a warning means I that prompts the operator to replace the battery based on the judgment result of the comparison judgment means H.

Note that as the warning means I, a lamp, a buzzer, etc. may be provided on the ID plate 100, and a warning signal is outputted to the read/write antennas 1.04 to 107 by microwave or the like, and this warning signal is Based on the control unit 13
~15 side may issue a warning.

(d) When the number of outgoing calls management means M is provided in the control units 13 to 15 (the flow of signals at this time is indicated by the symbol ■), this outgoing number of times management unit M is the number of outgoing outgoing ones mentioned above (-). It has a counting means F, a reference value storage means G, a comparison judgment means H1 and a warning means I similar to the above, but the storage area of the counting means F is limited to the number (type) of ID plates.
It is set up according to the situation.

Specifically, in the ID play) 100, the ID
An identification number of the plate 100 is attached and stored, and this identification number is outputted from the read/write antenna I (14 to 107) together with a 10 data when transmitting ID data. Now, the above I
Based on the identification number supplied with the D data, the number of times the ID data has been read is cumulatively stored for each identification number in the counting means F, thereby managing the replacement timing of the ID play (IH).

That is, the counting means F includes a plurality of storage sections that cumulatively store the number of ID data readings for each identification number, and an I.D.
an identification unit that collates the identification number supplied with the D data with the identification number of the number of ID data readings stored in the storage unit (for each identification number), and aborts the stored value of the corresponding identification number; The storage section and the identification section are used to sequentially manage the replacement timing of a plurality of types of ID cards (100).

Note that the transmission of ID data from the read/write antenna 103 and the pressure of the calling signal from the read/write antennas 104 to 107 are carried out by a touch sensor, a photo sensor, etc.
This may be done on condition that the is placed in a predetermined position (range).

Further, the value counted by the counting means F is reset by a reset signal output when the battery is replaced with a new one.

"Effect of the Invention J As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, each time the count value of the counting means is updated, the count value and
It compares the reference value stored in the reference value storage means, and if these values match, it is determined that it is time to replace the battery.
By prompting workers to replace batteries, it is possible to effectively manage the lifespan of batteries, such as lithium batteries, which become unusable due to a sudden drop in voltage, regardless of the voltage. This provides the advantage that the processing process by an automatic machine can be carried out continuously without interruption.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a functional diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the present invention and its embodiment, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows an ID plate. Figure 3 is a layout diagram of a part of the production line, including the memory map of Figure 2.
It is a figure which shows the location where the ID plate of a figure is arrange|positioned. A... Workpiece, B... Control data storage means, C
...Reading means, D..Control means, E..Automatic machine, F..Counting means, G..Reference value storage means, H..Comparison and judgment means, I.. - Warning means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] The controller is provided on each of a plurality of workpieces flowing through a production line and moves together with the workpieces, and records control data indicating the contents of processing to be performed on the workpieces, and control data storage means for storing and transmitting the recorded control data using a battery as a power source; reading means for reading the control data transmitted from the control data storage means; and control data read by the reading means. and a control means for controlling an automatic machine to perform a predetermined process on a workpiece at a specific position based on the control means, further comprising a counting means for counting the number of times control data is transmitted from the control data storage means to the reading means. and a reference value storage means for storing as a reference value the number of control data transmissions indicating when to replace the battery, and each time the count value of the counting means is updated, the count value and the reference value are compared; It is characterized by having a comparison judgment means for determining that it is time to replace the battery when the values match, and a warning means for prompting the operator to replace the battery based on the comparison judgment result of the comparison judgment means. production management system.