JPH0970725A - Article supply instruction method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] When there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, it is confirmed that there is no corresponding article on the shelf of the article shelf,
When a new article is added by a method of registering a shelf section in which a new article is stored by a registration input means provided on the shelf section, the new article is added on the site side where the article shelf is installed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article supply instruction method capable of easily registering a shelf for storing items. SOLUTION: This is an article supply instructing method of turning on or blinking a display means 4 provided on an article shelf 3 having a plurality of shelves 2, ... in response to an article supply instruction, and supplying an unregistered new article Z. When there is an instruction, it is confirmed that there is no article corresponding to the shelf section 2 of the article shelf 3, and the shelf section 2 in which the new article Z is stored is input for registration provided in the shelf section 2. It is characterized in that it is registered by the means 17.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article supply instructing method used when assembling a vehicle by taking out necessary articles (parts) from an article shelf provided on the line side of a vehicle assembly line. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an article supply instruction method and apparatus thereof in the above-mentioned example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-275844.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of assembly stations (1ST) (2
(ST) ... (mST), and the product supply instruction method in which the component shelves 51, 52, 53 are provided at the assembly stations (1ST), (2ST) ... (mST), and model information is input. Model information is input to the production instructing device 55 by means 54, and the production instructing device 55 responds to the maximum number of shelves of each of the above-mentioned component shelves with the component supply shelf number for each assembly station in the relevant model based on the model information. Then, a pattern set in a matrix is created, and the writing means 56 such as the matrix-shaped pattern ID antenna created by the production instruction device 55 is assembled by the assembly pallet 57.
The ID provided in the assembly station (1ST) (2ST) ... (mST).
Only the information of the corresponding station is read from the ID section 58 of the conveyed assembly pallet 57 by the reading means 59, 60, 61 such as an antenna.
1 is an article supply instruction method and apparatus for displaying the predetermined shelves of the component shelves 51 to 53 at the corresponding stations based on the information of No. 1.

According to this conventional method and apparatus, the predetermined shelves of the component shelves 51 to 53 can be displayed on the above-mentioned display means L1 to Ln in response to the article supply instruction signal.
When a new article is added when assembling a vehicle of a new vehicle type, it is difficult to newly register a parts shelf for storing the new article on the site side where the above-described parts shelves 51 to 53 are installed. There was a problem.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, when there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, confirms that there is no article corresponding to the shelf of the article shelf, When a new article is added by a method of registering a shelf section in which a new article is stored by a registration input means provided on the shelf section, the new article is added on the site side where the article shelf is installed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article supply instruction method capable of easily registering a shelf for storing items.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention, together with the object of the invention according to claim 1 above, automatically detects an unregistered object by searching and illuminates or blinks the unregistered indicator to register. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article supply instruction method capable of informing that there is a need for.

According to the invention of claim 3 of the present invention, in addition to the object of the invention of claim 1, the input means for registration is provided on each of the shelves of the article shelf. An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply instruction method that enables easy registration operation.

In the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, when there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, the confirmation means confirms that there is no article corresponding to the shelf of the article shelf, and the new article is When a new article is added by the configuration in which the shelf section to be stored is registered by the input means for registration provided in the shelf section, the new article is stored on the site side where the article shelf is installed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article supply instruction device capable of easily registering a shelf.

According to the invention of claim 5 of the present invention, in addition to the object of the invention of claim 4, registration is performed by automatically detecting an unregistered object by searching and illuminating or blinking the unregistered indicator to register. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article supply instructing device that can notify that there is a need for.

According to the invention of claim 6 of the present invention, in addition to the object of the invention of claim 4, the input means for registration is provided on each of the shelves of the article shelf. An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply instructing device that can easily perform a registration operation.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an article supply instruction is provided in which display means provided on an article shelf having a plurality of shelves are turned on or off in response to the article supply instruction. In the method, when there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, it is confirmed that there is no article corresponding to the shelf section of the article shelf, and the shelf section in which the new article is stored is set to the shelf section. The present invention is characterized in that the method is an article supply instructing method in which registration is performed by using the provided input means for registration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relationship table between each of the shelves and articles stored in each of the shelves, and The present invention is characterized in that the method is an article supply instructing method of turning on or off the non-registered display when the registered table does not exist by searching the relation table.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the registration input means is provided on each of the shelves of the article shelf. Is characterized in that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article shelf having a plurality of shelves and display means provided on each of the shelves, and the display means is provided in response to an article supply instruction. In the case of an article supply instructing device that lights up or blinks, when there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, a confirmation means for confirming that there is no article corresponding to the shelf of the article shelf, and the new article are An article supply instructing device comprising: an input means for registration for inputting a shelf portion to be stored; and a registration means for registering a shelf portion for storing the new article based on the input of the input means. And

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned confirmation is provided with a relation table between each of the shelves and the articles stored in each of the shelves. The article supply instructing device is provided with a non-registered indicator that lights up or blinks when it is confirmed that the registered article does not exist by searching the relation table by means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the input means for registration is an article supply instruction device provided on each shelf of the article. It is characterized by being.

[0017]

According to the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention, a predetermined display means of the display means provided on each of a plurality of shelves of the article shelf corresponding to the article supply instruction is turned on or turned on. Although it blinks and displays the shelf position, if there is an instruction to supply unregistered new articles, it is confirmed that there is no article corresponding to the above-mentioned shelf section of the article shelf, and the operator inputs the registration input means. Can be manually operated to register a shelf for storing new articles. As a result, when a new article is added, there is an effect that the shelf section for storing the new article can be easily registered on the site side where the above-mentioned article shelf is installed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the relationship table between each of the shelves described above and the articles stored in each of the shelves is searched, and when there is no registered article, the non-registered indicator described above is displayed. Lights up or flashes, which has the effect that the worker can recognize that there is a need for registration on the site side.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, since the input means for registration described above is provided on each shelf of the article shelf, the position of the shelf for storing the new article can be set to any position. Also, there is an effect that the registration operation can be easily performed by this input means.

According to the invention of claim 4 of the present invention,
Corresponding to the article supply instruction, a predetermined display means among the display means provided on each of the plurality of shelves of the article shelf lights or blinks to display the shelf position, but there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article. In this case, the above confirmation means confirms that there is no article corresponding to the shelf of the article shelf, and the operator manually operates the input means for registration to input the shelf in which the new article is stored. Then, the above-mentioned registration means registers the shelves in which new articles are stored based on the input of the input means. As a result, when a new article is added, there is an effect that the shelf section for storing the new article can be easily registered on the site side where the above-mentioned article shelf is installed.

According to the invention described in claim 5 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 4, when the relational table is searched by the confirmation means and it is confirmed that the registered article does not exist, the unregistered indicator lights up or blinks. There is an effect that the operator is informed of the necessity and the operator can recognize the fact on the site side.

According to the invention of claim 6 of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 4, since the input means for registration described above is provided in each of the shelves of the article shelf, the position of the shelf for storing the new article can be set to any position. Also, there is an effect that the registration operation can be easily performed by this input means.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Prior to the description of the article supply instruction method, first, the configuration of the article supply instruction apparatus will be described in detail. In FIG.
A rectangular parallelepiped-shaped article shelf 3 having a total of 15 shelves 2 ...
, And display lamps 4 as display means provided corresponding to the above-mentioned total 15 shelves 2.

Here, in each of the above-mentioned shelves 2, ... "1-1", "1-2" ... "1-5" from the left side to the right side of the upper stage.
Shelf numbers are attached, and from the left side to the right side of the middle row, "2-
Shelf numbers “1”, “2-2”, ... “2-5” are added, and similarly, “3-1”, “3-” from the left side to the right side of the lower row.
2 ”...“ 3-5 ”are attached to the shelves 2, and each of the above-mentioned shelves 2 has parts A to D, F to F, such as automobile parts stored in the article container 5 as shown by a solid line in FIG. I, K to M are stored. Area sensors 6 ... Which detect storage and removal of the article container 5 by an operator are arranged on each of the above-mentioned shelves 2.

Further, while the controller 7 is arranged on the side of the article shelf 3 described above, a component name display 8 for visually displaying the component name on the top deck surface of the article shelf 3 and an unregistered new article. When there is a supply instruction, an unregistered lamp 9 is attached to inform the operator that there is no article corresponding to the shelf 2 of the article shelf 3.

FIG. 2 shows a control circuit of the article supply instructing device. The controller 7 described above is a communication interface 11 for receiving part information corresponding to an article supply instruction from the host computer 10, and a ROM 1 for storing a control program.
2, a CPU 20, a RAM 13 for storing necessary data and maps such as a database 15 shown in FIG. 3, and a lamp input / output device 14, and the CPU 20 described above is used to input a component supply information command from the communication interface 11. Based on the program stored in the ROM 12,
Parts name display 8, unregistered lamp 9, lamp input / output device 1
4 is driven and controlled.

On the output side of the above-mentioned lamp input / output device 14, a display lamp and a registration switch 17 as an input means for registration are mounted on each board 16 and connected in series. Here, the above-mentioned display lamp 4 is composed of an issuing diode (so-called LED) and the registration switch 1
7 is composed of a push button type switch, and the registration switch 17 of this push button type switch is turned on at the time of registration.
In order to light the indicator lamp 4 composed of the issuing diode when operated, these both 4 and 17 are integrated into one unit and arranged on each of the above-mentioned shelves 2.

The database 15 shown in FIG. 3 stores in advance the relationship between the shelf numbers of the respective shelves 2 and the component names stored in these shelves 2. This database 15 is the RA shown in FIG.
Although it is stored in M13, it goes without saying that it may be configured to be stored in a ROM (not shown).

The CPU 20 described above searches the plurality of shelves 2 of the article shelf 3 in response to the parts supply information command, and controls the lighting of the necessary display lamps 4 by the storage position searching means (the flowchart shown in FIG. 4). 7 Step S7 reference)
When there is a supply instruction (article supply information command) of an unregistered new article that is not registered in advance in the database 15 shown in FIG. 3, there is no part corresponding to the above-mentioned shelf section 2 of the article shelf 3. Is confirmed based on the search of the database 15 (see the third step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4) and the new switch is operated based on the input of the registration switch 17 as the input means for registration shown in FIG. Registration means for registering the shelves to be stored by associating the numbers and the component names (the sixth part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4).
(See step S6).

An article supply instructing method executed by using the article supply instructing apparatus 1 thus constructed will be described below in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the first step S1, the host computer 1
When the CPU 20 receives a component supply information command input from 0 through the communication interface 11, the second
In step S2, the CPU 20 drives and controls the component name display unit 8 to visually display the component name corresponding to the component name display unit 8. For example, when the corresponding component name is "G", "G" is visually displayed on the component name display 8 described above.

Next, in a third step S3, the CPU 20 searches the database 15 (see FIG. 3) as a relation table and determines whether or not there is part data corresponding to the part name "G". On the other hand, if there is a component, the process skips to the seventh step S7. The part corresponding to the part name "G" exists in the database 15 of FIG. 3 and is a registered part, so the seventh step S7.
Move to

In the seventh step S7, the CPU 20 searches for the position (shelf number) in which the part with the part name "G" is stored, and in the next eighth step S8, the CPU 20 displays the corresponding display lamp 4. It is turned on as shown by 1, and the operator is instructed to the position of the shelf 2 in which the part with the part name "G" is stored. The above description is for the case where the component supply information command corresponds to the registered component. Next, the case where the component supply information command corresponds to the unregistered component will be described.

In the first step S1, the host computer 1
When the CPU 20 receives a component supply information command input from 0 through the communication interface 11, the second
In step S2, the CPU 20 drives and controls the component name display unit 8 to visually display the component name corresponding to the component name display unit 8, for example, an unregistered new component "Z".

Next, in a third step S3, the CPU 20 searches the database 15 (see FIG. 3) and determines whether or not there is component data corresponding to the component name "Z". In this case, it is determined that there is no component. Then, the process proceeds to the next fourth step S4.

In the fourth step S4, the CPU 20 turns on the non-registration lamp 9 to confirm that there is no part corresponding to the part name "Z" in the article shelf 3 and that a new registration is required. To inform. Next, in a fifth step S5, the CPU 2
0 executes waiting for input of the component storage position at the time of registration.

For example, the operator may select the shelf number "3-" shown in FIG.
When the registration switch 17 corresponding to the shelf number "3-5" is turned on after the component corresponding to the component name "Z" is stored in the shelf portion 2 of "5" (see the virtual line in the figure), it is considered that there is input. Then, the process proceeds to the next sixth step S6.

Here, in place of the input operation in which the operator manually turns on the registration switch 17 described above, the area sensor 6 indicates that the article container 5 is stored in the shelf section 2 with the shelf number "3-5". It may be automatically detected and considered to be input, or may be considered to be input by a logical product of the both (the registration switch 17 is turned on and the area sensor 6 is turned on).

In the above-described sixth step S6, the CPU 20 additionally registers the part name "Z" and the shelf number "3-5" in the database 15 shown in FIG. Next, in a seventh step S7, the CPU 20 searches for a component storage position (in this case, the position of the shelf number "3-5" corresponding to the component name Z),
In the next eighth step S8, the display lamp 4 of the shelf 2 corresponding to the shelf number "3-5" is turned on, and the registered part name "Z" is visually displayed on the part name display 8.

In short, according to the article supply instruction method of the present invention, the display means (see the display lamp 4) provided on each of the plurality of shelves 2 of the article shelf 3 corresponding to the article supply instruction.
Of these, a predetermined display means lights up to display the shelf position,
When there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, it is confirmed that there is no article corresponding to the shelf 2 of the article shelf 3 described above, and the operator manually inputs the registration input means (see the registration switch 17). By operating it, it is possible to register the shelf 2 in which a new article is stored.

As a result, when a new article is added, on the site side where the above-mentioned article shelf 3 is installed,
There is an effect that the shelf 2 for storing this new article can be easily registered.

Further, the relationship table (see the database 15) between the above-mentioned shelves 2 and the parts stored in these shelves 2 is searched, and when there is no registered part, the above-mentioned unregistered indicator ( Since the non-registration lamp 9) lights up, the worker can recognize that there is a need for registration on the site side.

Further, since the above-mentioned input means for registration (refer to the registration switch 17) is provided on each of the shelves 2 of the article shelf 3, the position of the shelf 2 for storing a new article is set to any position. However, this input means (see registration switch 17)
Has an effect that the registration operation can be easily performed.

Further, according to the article supply instruction apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of shelves 2 of the article shelves 3 corresponding to the article supply instruction.
A predetermined display means among the display means (see the display lamp 4) provided in each of the display means lights up to display the shelf position. However, when there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, the above-mentioned confirmation means (the third means) In step S3), it is confirmed that there is no article corresponding to the shelf 2 of the article shelf 3, and the operator manually operates the input means for registration (see the registration switch 17) to store the new article. Enter the shelf 2
The above-mentioned registration means (see sixth step S6) registers the shelves 2 in which new articles are stored based on the input of the input means (see registration switch 17).

As a result, when a new article is added, on the site side where the above-mentioned article shelf 3 is installed,
There is an effect that the shelf 2 for storing this new article can be easily registered.

Further, the above-mentioned confirmation means (third step S
3)), the relation table (see database 15) is searched, and when it is confirmed that there is no registered article, the above-mentioned non-registration indicator (see non-registration lamp 9) lights up, so there is a need for registration. This has the effect of notifying the operator of this fact and allowing the operator to recognize this fact on the site side.

In addition, since the input means for registration (see the registration switch 17) described above is provided on each of the shelves 2 of the article shelf 3, the position of the shelf 2 for storing new articles is set to any position. However, this input means (see registration switch 17)
Has an effect that the registration operation can be easily performed.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the display means of the present invention corresponds to the display lamp 4 constituted by the issuing diode of the embodiment, and the like below, similarly, the input means for registration, Corresponding to the registration switch 17, the relation table corresponds to the database 15, the unregistered indicator corresponds to the unregistered lamp 9, and the confirmation means is the CPU 2
Corresponding to the third step S3 by the 0 control, the registration means
Corresponding to the sixth step S6 controlled by the CPU 20,
The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments.

For example, the above-mentioned display lamp 4 and non-registration lamp 9 may be configured to perform blinking control instead of lighting control, and the display lamp 4 may be configured as a normal pilot lamp. The number of shelves 2 shown is m steps up and down,
It may have a multi-stage (m × n) configuration of left and right n stages, or L
The board 16 on which the ED and the switch are mounted may be connected in parallel.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an article supply instruction device used in an article supply instruction method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a database.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing registration processing of a new article on the site side.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing a conventional article supply instruction method and apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Shelf part 3 ... Article shelf 4 ... Display lamp 9 ... Unregistered lamp 15 ... Database 17 ... Registration switch S3 ... Confirmation means S6 ... Registration means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Naito 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Motor Corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An article supply instructing method for turning on or blinking display means respectively provided on an article shelf having a plurality of shelves in response to an article supply instruction, wherein an unregistered new article supply instruction is issued. In the case of the above, it is confirmed that there is no article corresponding to the shelf section of the article shelf, and the shelf section in which the new article is stored is registered by the input means for registration provided in the shelf section. . 2. A relationship table between each of said shelves and articles stored in each of these shelves is provided, and when there is no registered article by searching said relationship table, a non-registered indicator is turned on or blinks. The article supply instruction method according to claim 1. 3. The article supply instruction method according to claim 1, wherein the input means for registration is provided on each shelf of the article shelf. 4. An article supply instructing device, comprising: an article shelf having a plurality of shelves; and display means provided on each of said shelves, and lighting or blinking said display means in response to an article supply instruction. If there is an instruction to supply an unregistered new article, confirmation means for confirming that there is no article corresponding to the shelf section of the article shelf and registration for inputting the shelf section in which the new article is stored Article supply instructing device, comprising: input means for inputting information, and registration means for registering a shelf part in which the new article is stored based on the input of the input means. 5. A relationship table between each of the shelves and the articles stored in each of the shelves is provided, and the confirmation means searches the relation table to confirm that the registered article does not exist. The article supply instructing device according to claim 4, further comprising a non-registration indicator. 6. The article supply instructing device according to claim 4, wherein the input means for registration is provided on each shelf of the article.