JP2002096225A - Part supply system and supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply a part of correct specifications to an assembly line of assembly products of a plural number of specifications. SOLUTION: A bar code 32 (first information) showing specifications and the number of parts 12 to supply is printed on a lot label 31 (first information medium). This bar code 32 is read by a bar code reader 46 (first and second reading means, common reading device) and input to a personal computer 40. A bar code 71 (second information) to show a specification code of the parts 12 is printed on a part label 70 (second information medium) stuck on the parts 12. This bar code 71 is read by the bar code reader 46 and input to the personal computer 40. The computer 40 judges whether the part specifications expressed by these bar codes 32, 71 match or not and when they don't match, gives a warning by a display 44 and a speaker 45.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and a method for supplying a part to an assembly line of an assembly product incorporated in, for example, an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various kinds of assembly products such as an instrument panel assembly, a console box assembly, and a door trim assembly are incorporated in a motor vehicle. Each assembly product has a number of specifications according to the type and specification of the automobile (for example, whether the steering wheel is a right-hand drive or a left-hand drive, and whether the gear shift is manual or automatic). Each assembly product is composed of various types of parts (for example, in an instrument panel assembly, a meter unit, an airbag unit, a car audio unit, etc.). These parts also have a number of specifications corresponding to the specifications of the assembly product.

[0003] An assembly manufacturer has an assembly line for each type of assembly product. Parts of the corresponding type are loaded into each assembly line according to specifications. The operator selects parts having specifications corresponding to the assembly product to be assembled and incorporates them into the work in process that has flowed from the upstream of the line. Thus, an assembly product having a predetermined specification can be completed.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional assembly product assembling work, the parts are selected only by the operator, and there is a risk that the parts may be erroneously selected and parts having different specifications may be attached.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the first feature of the present invention is that parts constituting the above-mentioned assembly product are installed on an assembly line for assembly products of a plurality of specifications. And a first system corresponding to an assembly product to be assembled.
First reading means for reading, from the information medium, first information substantially representing the specification of the part corresponding to the assembly product; and expressing the specification of the part from the second information medium attached to the part to be supplied. The second reading means for reading the second information, the component determining means for determining whether or not the component specifications represented by the read first and second information match each other, and the determination result of the component determining means. And a determination result notifying means for notifying.

According to a second feature of the present invention, in the first feature, the first and second information include information capable of identifying each other, and the first and second reading means are commonly used. And information determining means for determining whether the information read by the reading device is the first information or the second information based on the identification information.

According to a third feature of the present invention, in the above-mentioned second feature, a storage means for storing information on a correspondence relationship between first information and second information representing the same component specification is further provided. Means is to make the determination based on the correspondence information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the first and second information are optically readable, and the common reader is an optical reader. There is to be.

A fifth feature of the present invention is the lot label according to the first feature, wherein the first information medium is prepared for each lot including parts of the same specification to be continuously supplied, The first information includes information on the number of components included in the corresponding lot, and a counting unit that counts the number of times that the specifications are determined to match the components by the component determination unit. In this case, a lot expiration notifying means for notifying the user of such a situation is further provided.

A sixth feature of the present invention is a method for supplying parts constituting the above-mentioned assembly product to an assembly line of assembly products of a plurality of specifications, wherein (a) the method is prepared for each lot of parts having the same specification. A lot label sorting step of sorting the lot labels according to the order in which the lots are to be supplied; and (b) reading information substantially representing the specification and quantity of parts from the top one of the sorted lot labels. (C) after the lot information reading step, wherein
A component information reading step of reading information representing the specification of the component from the component label attached to the component to be supplied by the reading device and inputting the information to the computer; and (d) providing the computer with the lot label and the component label. A component determination step of determining whether or not the component specifications read from each other match, and reporting the determination result;
(E) advancing the supply operation for the parts determined to be coincident, and withdrawing the supply operation for the parts determined to be inconsistent; A lot expiration determining step of counting the number of times that the determination has been made that the number has reached the quantity information of the lot label, and notifying the determination result. In the expiration determination step, when it is determined that the part has not been reached, the steps following the part information reading step are performed for the part to be supplied next, and when it is determined that the part has been reached, The object is to execute the steps subsequent to the lot information reading step, with the next lot label at the top according to the arrangement order.

According to a seventh feature of the present invention, in the above-mentioned seventh feature, in the advancing / retreating step, the parts determined to be coincident with each other are arranged and stored in a storage device in a predetermined order. The feeding operation is advanced, and thereafter, the storage device is transported to the assembly line, and the components are taken out of the storage device in accordance with the arrangement order and provided for assembly.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a component supply system for an assembly product 10 in an automobile assembly manufacturer. The assembly manufacturing company has a component preparation place X (reading place) shown in FIG.
And an assembly line Y shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in (1), components 12 of multiple specifications (only three are shown in the figure) are put into a separate box 20 for each specification and carried in from a subcontractor (component manufacturer) to the component preparation place X. The preparation worker at the part preparation place X sends these parts 12
The pickups are picked up one by one in accordance with the order designated by 0 or the like, and are arranged on the shelf 50 (storage device) in the determined direction indicated by the arrow a after the specifications are checked by the personal computer 40.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the shelf 50 is transported to the assembly line Y. Conveyor 60 of assembly line Y
Has a work in process 11 to be an assembly product 10,
They are arranged in a predetermined order and are washed away. The production worker takes out the parts 12 one by one from the shelf 50 according to the above-mentioned arrangement order (arrow a) and incorporates them into the work-in-process goods 11 that have flowed. Thereby, the assembly product 10 is completed.

This will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, a component label 70 (second information medium) is affixed to each component 12 at the subcontractor. The component label 70 includes the corresponding component 1
The barcode 71 (second information) representing the specification code No. 2 is printed. This specification code is a code determined by the subcontractor.

The slip 30 is created by a computer (not shown) for drafting an assembly plan of the assembly product 10. In this assembling plan, the specifications, quantity, and assembling date and time of the assembly product 10 to be assembled and, eventually, the part 12 to be assembled are determined. Parts 12 having the same specifications and the same assembly date and time are managed as one lot. The assembly date and time is specified by a date, a time zone, and an assembly order for each lot within the time zone.

As shown in FIG. 3, the continuous slip 30 is composed of a lot of lot labels 31 (first information medium) created for each lot. These lot labels 3
No. 1 is arranged (arranged) in a line in the order of the assembly date and time of the corresponding lot. A perforation 30a is formed at the border between adjacent lot labels 31.

Each lot label 31 has a specification code, a quantity, an assembling date, an assembling time zone code (for example, "C" indicates from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm) of the parts 12 included in the corresponding lot, and an assembling. The line code is described. Further, the specification code and the quantity are represented by a bar code 32 (first information).
But it is also represented. The left side 32a of the barcode 32 represents the specification code, and the right side 32b represents the quantity.

The specification code of the lot label 31 is a management code of the assembly manufacturer, and differs from the specification code of the component label 70 in the system (number of digits, arrangement of alphabets and numbers, presence or absence of alphabets, etc.). ing. (The first and second information include information capable of identifying each other.) Therefore, the specification code represented by the bar codes 32 and 71 of the two labels 31 and 70 for the parts 12 having the same specification. Are different from each other. For example,
As shown in FIG. 4, the specification code of the component label 70 is 3
Lot label 31
Has four digits, the first digit is an alphabet, and the last three digits are numbers.

In the bar code 32, the quantity is 3
(For example, “00” for “3”)
3 "). Therefore, the barcode 32 has a total of seven digits.

As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 40 includes a CPU 41, a memory 42 (storage means) connected to the CPU 41, a display 44 and a speaker 45 connected to the CPU 41 via an input / output interface 43. Have. One barcode reader 46 (first and second reading means, common optical reading device) is further connected to the input / output interface 43. As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 42 stores information on the correspondence between the specification codes of the two labels 31 and 70.

Assembly product 1 using the above system
The method of assembling No. 0 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Box 20 for each specification
And the continuous slip 30 are delivered. The component preparation worker reads the barcode 32 of the lot label 31 at the head of the continuous slip 30 with a barcode reader 46 (virtual line in FIG. 1). The read barcode information is input to the personal computer 40 and decoded by the CPU 41 (lot information reading step, step 10).
1).

The CPU 41 determines whether or not the read bar code information is that of the lot label 31 by reading the number of digits of the decoded information (information determination step, step 102). In this step 102, the CPU 41 functions as information discriminating means. Here, it is read as seven digits, and is determined to be lot information. The CPU 41 that has obtained the determination result divides the decoded information into information of the lot to be picked up into a four-digit specification code and a three-digit quantity, and divides the display information into a display 44.
(Step 103).

The preparation worker can select the box 20 containing the parts 12 of the specification by referring to the specification code displayed on the display 44. The selection is
This may be performed by referring to the notation of the lot label 31 at the top. Further, it may be performed in accordance with an assembly instruction (a table listing parts specifications and quantities in order of assembly date and time) created by the computer for planning the assembly plan. Then, one component 12 is picked up from the selected box 20. The bar code 71 of the component label 70 of the component 12 is read by the bar code reader 46 (solid line in FIG. 1). The read barcode information is input to the personal computer 40 and decoded by the CPU 41 (part information reading step, step 104).

The CPU 41 (information discriminating means) also discriminates information on the decoded information based on the number of digits (information discriminating step, step 105). Here, it is read as three digits, and it is determined that the information is the information of the component label 70.

The CPU 41 having obtained the determination result, based on the correspondence information (FIG. 4) in the memory 42, causes the specification code of the component label 70 just read to correspond to the specification code of the lot label 31 previously read. Is determined (whether or not the component specifications represented by the first and second information match each other) (a component determination step, step 10).
6). In this step 106, the CPU 41 functions as a component determination unit.

If the preparation operator makes a mistake in selecting the part 12, it is determined in step 106 that the specifications do not match. At this time, the CPU 41 outputs a warning sound from the speaker 45 and blinks the screen of the display 44 (step 110). In this step 110, the CPU 41, the display 44, and the speaker 45
Functions as a determination result notifying means. by this,
The preparation worker can know that the selection is wrong, return the picked-up parts 12 to the original box 20, and redo the selection (removal operation of parts supply in the forward / backward process,
Step 110 ').

If the parts selection by the preparatory worker has been correctly performed, it is determined in step 106 that the specifications match. The CPU 41 that has obtained this determination reduces the quantity displayed on the display 44 by one (step 107). The preparation operator can confirm that the component specifications match by counting down the display. After the confirmation, the preparation worker places the part 12 to be determined at the determined position (the start end of the arrow a) on the shelf 50 (the part supply progressing operation in the forward / backward process, step 10).
7 '). In step 107, the CPU 41 and the display 44 function as a determination result notifying unit.

After step 107, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the number after the countdown is zero (lot expiration determination step, step 108). The preparation worker can confirm whether the quantity is zero or not by the display on the display 44.

If not zero, the preparation operator picks up one new part 12. Then, by reading the component label 70 of the component 12, the personal computer 40 is caused to execute the steps after the step 104. When the countdown of step 107 is confirmed, the part 12 is placed on the shelf 50 following the previous part 12 in the predetermined direction indicated by the arrow a (step 107 ′). In this manner, the operation of picking up the component 12, causing the personal computer 40 to determine the specification, and returning the component 12 to the box 20 or placing it on the shelf 50 is performed on the display 44.
Is repeatedly executed until the displayed quantity of zero becomes zero, and the lot displayed on the leading lot label 31 is stored in the shelf 5
0 (see FIG. 2).

When the display quantity of the display 44 becomes zero at step 107, it is determined at step 108 that it is zero. As a result, the CPU 41 changes the background color of the display 44 from the previous white to, for example, green, and displays a message indicating that the pickup of one lot has been completed (lot expiration notification step, step 10).
9). In this step 109, the CPU 41 and the display 44 function as lot expiration notification means.

The preparation worker can proceed to the pick-up work of the next lot by referring to this notification. That is, the first lot label 31 is separated from the continuous form 30, and the next lot label 31 is put at the top of the continuous form 30. After inputting the information of the newly placed lot label 31 to the personal computer 40 and displaying it on the display 44 (steps 101 to 103), the steps after step 104 are repeatedly executed. In step 107 ', the next lot is arranged in the direction of the arrow a following the previously arranged lot (see FIG. 2).

Each time the display quantity on the display 44 becomes zero (step 107) and a message indicating that the pickup of the lot has been completed is displayed (step 109), the next lot label 31 is further moved to the beginning.
The lot displayed on the lot label 31 is picked up. In this way, as shown in FIG.
In addition, a plurality of lots can be arranged in the order in which they are provided for assembly along arrow a. In addition, the separated lot label 31 is, for example, the first shelf 50 among the corresponding lots.
It is good to attach to the parts 12 arranged.

When the operator overlooks the lot expiration notification in step 109 and reads the label 70 of the part 12 having the same specification as the previous lot, in step 102, "N"
O ”, the process proceeds to step 111, and the speaker 45
Is output and the screen of the display 44 blinks, and an error operation is notified. When the component label 70 is to be read in step 104, but the lot label 31 is read (when the next lot label 31 is read even though the display quantity on the display 44 is not zero), steps 105 to 112 are performed. Proceed to
A similar warning operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shelf 50 on which the components 12 are arranged can be transported to a predetermined assembly line Y by referring to the description of the assembly line code on the lot label 31. On the conveyor 60 of the assembly line Y, the above-mentioned in-process products 11 of a plurality of specifications are set and flown.
Although not shown in detail, these in-process products 11 are also arranged according to the assembly order for each lot according to the assembly plan. The assembly worker refers to the specification code, quantity, assembly date, and time zone of the lot label 31,
The components 12 are taken out of the shelf 50 one by one in the direction of arrow a. As a result, the work in process 11 that has flowed
Components 12 with corresponding specifications can be incorporated. In this manner, the assembly product 10
Can be completed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can adopt various forms. For example, the first information may be information indicating specifications of an assembly product. This product specification information substantially represents the specification of the part. The specification code of the part may be common to the first and second information, and the first and second information may be identified only by the presence or absence of the number information. ,
It may be read by the second reading means). By providing rollers on the shelf plate of the shelf or by tilting the shelf plate, parts may be slid on the assembly line to facilitate removal. The storage device may be a hanger capable of suspending components other than the shelf. The parts that have been determined to match the specifications may be supplied directly to the assembly line.

Steps 107 and 108 in FIG.
Is equivalent to counting up the number of times that the determination of the specification match is obtained, and determining whether or not the number reaches the quantity read from the lot label 31.
Function as counting means in step 107 and function as lot expiration determining means in step 108. In the above count-up method, the number of times is labeled 3
When the number of readings from 1 has been reached, the number of times of the counting means is reset by the reset means. This reset operation is equivalent to overwriting the quantity display from zero to the display quantity of the next lot label 31 in step 103 of FIG. 5, and in step 103, the CPU 41 functions as the reset unit.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, if a worker selects a component incorrectly, it can be informed, and a component having correct specifications can be provided for assembly. be able to. According to the second feature of the present invention, the first and second two pieces of information can be read separately by one reader, so that the system configuration can be simplified and the operation can be simplified. According to the third feature of the present invention, even if the first and second information representing the same component specification are different from each other, it is possible to reliably determine whether the specifications match.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first and second information can be optically easily read. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the first information may be read for each lot,
The number of steps can be reduced. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when an operator selects a component incorrectly, it can be notified, and a lot having a correct specification can be used for assembling according to the order of supply. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the components can be arranged in the storage device in the order of assembly, compacted and moved to the assembly line, and the component arrangement space on the assembly line can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a component preparation place of a supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an assembly line of the supply system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a continuous form used in the supply system.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of correspondence information stored in a memory of the supply system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the personal computer of the supply system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the personal computer of the supply system, and the broken line shows the advance / retreat process operation performed by the worker for reference.

[Explanation of symbols]

X Parts preparation place (reading place) Y Assembly line 10 Assembly product 12 Parts 31 Lot label (first information medium) 32 Barcode (first information) 40 Personal computer 41 CPU 42 Memory (storage means) 46 Barcode reader (No. 1, second reading means, common reading device) 50 shelf (storage device) 70 component label (second information medium) 71 barcode (second information)

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A system for supplying parts constituting an assembly product to an assembly line of assembly products of a plurality of specifications, comprising: a first information medium corresponding to the assembly product to be assembled; First reading means for reading first information substantially representing specifications; and a second information medium attached to a component to be supplied,
Second reading means for reading second information representing the specification of the component, component determination means for determining whether or not the component specifications represented by the read first and second information match each other; A component supply system comprising: a determination result notifying unit that notifies a determination result of the determining unit. 2. The first and second information include information capable of identifying each other, and the first and second reading means are constituted by a common reading device, and are read by the reading device. 2. The component supply system according to claim 1, further comprising information discriminating means for discriminating which of the first information and the second information is based on the identification information. 3. A storage means for storing information on the correspondence between the first information and the second information representing the same part specification, wherein the part determination means makes the determination based on the correspondence information. The component supply system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The component supply according to claim 2, wherein the first and second information are optically readable, and the common reader is an optical reader. system. 5. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first information medium is a lot label created for each lot of parts having the same specification to be continuously supplied, and the first information is a label of a part included in the corresponding lot. A counting means for counting the number of times that the specification is determined to be consistent with the part determination means, and a lot expiration notification means for notifying when the number matches the number information, The component supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: 6. A method for supplying parts constituting an assembly product to an assembly line of assembly products of a plurality of specifications, wherein (a) a lot label created for each lot of parts having the same specification Lot label rearranging process for rearranging according to the order to be supplied; (b)
A lot information reading step of reading information substantially representing the specification and quantity of parts with a reading device and inputting the information to a computer from the leading one of the arranged lot labels,
(C) after the lot information reading step, a part information reading step of reading information representing the specification of the part from the part label attached to the part to be supplied by the reading device and inputting the information to the computer; And (e) determining whether the lot labels and the component specifications read from the component labels match, and reporting the determination result. The supply operation is advanced for the performed component, and the advancing / retreating step of withdrawing the supply operation for the component determined to be inconsistent is performed, and (f) the computer determines the number of times the determination is made that they match. Let me count
A lot expiration determining step of determining whether or not this number has reached the quantity information of the lot label, and notifying the determination result, and in the lot expiration determining step, it is determined that the number has not been reached. At this time, the process following the component information reading process is executed for the component to be supplied next, and when it is determined that the component has been reached, the next lot label is put in the head according to the arrangement order, and the lot A component supply method characterized by performing a process after an information reading process. 7. The supply operation proceeds by arranging and storing in the storage device the parts determined to be identical in the advance / retreat process in the storage device in a predetermined order. The component supply method according to claim 6, wherein the components are conveyed to the assembly line, and the components are taken out of the storage device in accordance with the arrangement order and provided for assembly.