JP2560302B2 - Production method using unmanned vehicles - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a production system for various devices such as an automobile engine and a vehicle body, and more particularly to a production system using an unmanned vehicle.

Conventional technology The most efficient method for mass production is to install a line mainly on a conveyor and perform work and assembly of the work conveyed by the conveyor in general. It is said that. More specifically,
A line that continuously drives the assembly carriage and assembly jig with a chain conveyor, etc. is configured, and workers, tools, and parts shelves are appropriately arranged on both sides of the line, and they are attached to the main parts and jigs. This is a method in which a worker reads the production instruction information that is present and performs necessary work.

The production method using such a conveyor system is suitable for small-lot, high-volume production, and has been adopted in various fields from the past, but the conveyor is fixedly installed, and the entire system is almost always available. Due to things such as moving at a uniform speed, it is not always possible to meet recent needs. In other words, since the conveyor is fixed, it is difficult to change the production line or the line due to a model change, and there are major obstacles to the flow of workers and site supervisors and logistics such as parts supply. There is. Further, since the work is continuously moved by the conveyor, the worker must also perform the work while moving, and even if an automatic machine such as a robot is introduced, the work target is moving, which is complicated and complicated. It has to be an expensive automatic machine, and it is difficult to automate it and save labor. Furthermore, when performing multi-type mixed production, a process that does not require machining occurs for a specific work, but even in that case, the work is passed through all the processes, so the line length is long. Not only
Forced inefficient production. Further, when the amount of work varies greatly depending on the type of work, it is difficult to combine the work shared by one worker, and in addition to this, there is a limit to the mutual support of workers for delayed work. There is. In particular, when the type of work increases in conjunction with the type of work, mistaken missing parts and mistaken work increase, and the space for parts storage also increases.In some cases, the space for storage of parts shelves determines the length of the conveyor, It becomes difficult to construct a compact line, and in addition, there is a problem in that the distance traveled by the worker is long because the parts are arranged and the burden and fatigue of the worker increase. Also, when automating the manual work process in the conveyor system, only the specific process is replaced with the automatic machine, and the arrangement of the workers is divided by the automatic machine. As a result, the worker is isolated and unfavorable for the occupational health environment. May occur, and it becomes impossible for workers to help each other.
Even if the work is less than the work required for the number of people, a whole worker is required, which causes a problem that the number of workers cannot be reduced.

A method using an automatic guided vehicle as a production method for solving the above-mentioned problems of the method mainly including the conveyor line is described in the magazine "MODERN MATERIAL HANDLING (January 1985 issue)". In this method, a large number of work stations with small parts such as tools are installed in the factory, and a taxiway is laid so as to pass through each of the work stations. Centralized control of vehicle operation is performed by a central computer, and an automated guided vehicle equipped with the necessary parts is moved to the station required to assemble the parts. In addition, the parts are pre-installed with production information such as serial numbers on the line by bar code and optional contents.
The CRT terminal inputs this information into the computer. Then, the automated guided vehicle travels to a predetermined work station according to the instruction of the computer, and at that work station, the worker uses the bar code reader to display work information from the computer on the CRT, and the computer uses the work time of the worker. Together with managing
This is a method of assembling and producing a product by moving the automatic guided vehicle to the next work station when the work is completed and sequentially performing such operations.

According to this production method, since fixed obstacles such as conveyors are eliminated on the floor, the movement and distribution of workers can be facilitated, and the transportation route can be easily changed according to need. It is possible to easily respond to changes in layout due to changes and changes in products, and since the work is performed while the automatic guided vehicle is stopped, the work object is fixed, and therefore, when manual work is performed. Is
Work can be performed while confirming the work content, and automation by a robot is easy.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned conventional production method using the unmanned guided vehicle, the unmanned guided vehicle is merely a means for carrying and controlling the operation controlled by the central computer, and therefore, in a specific station. When the amount of work increases, it is difficult for the worker to deal with and make a decision, and as a result, there is a possibility that an erroneous missing item or erroneous work may occur. The central computer gives instructions for work at each station to assist the workers, but the worker at each station must obtain the details of the work to be done from the central computer by a bar code reader and CRT. Therefore, there is a problem that the labor of the operator increases and all the production is stopped when the system of the central computer goes down.

This invention was made against the background of the above circumstances.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an unmanned vehicle production system capable of efficiently manufacturing high-quality products by providing an unmanned vehicle with a work management function.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a plurality of parts supply zones each having a station for supplying parts, and an assembly zone having a station for performing an assembly operation by a part assembling means. There is a taxiway that runs through the work zone, and an unmanned vehicle that runs along the taxiway is placed. The function that the unmanned vehicle stores work management information and the station that needs it are determined based on that information. Information exchange for exchanging work management information with unmanned vehicles, including the function of self-propelled toward that station, the function of outputting the necessary production instructions for each station, and the function of mounting parts The device is arranged in the vicinity of the start point portion of the taxiway, and the parts required for the unmanned vehicle in the parts supply zone based on the work management information given to the unmanned vehicle from the information exchange device. Products are selected and mounted, the unmanned vehicle is run to the assembly zone, and at the predetermined work station where the unmanned vehicle in the assembly zone is stopped, the unmanned vehicle outputs the work instruction to the parts assembling means to produce the product. The production method is characterized in that the processing and assembling work are performed.

In the method of the present invention, when information about the product to be manufactured is given to the unmanned vehicle by the information exchange device, first, the unmanned guided vehicle is self-propelled along the taxiway in the parts supply zone, and based on the given information. Select and mount the required parts,
The part is carried to an assembly zone suitable for the part, the work content is output at a station stopped in the assembly zone, and a production instruction is given. When the prescribed work is completed, the unmanned vehicle will drive to the next zone. In this way, the zone through which the unmanned vehicle travels is selected by the unmanned vehicle based on the information given earlier, and the manufactured product is finally selected as another unmanned vehicle or The unmanned vehicle that is emptied after being delivered to an appropriate unloader returns to the original starting position again, and the information to be manufactured next is given.

EXAMPLES Next, the present invention will be described based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system to which the production system of the present invention is applied. The example shown here is an automated guided vehicle 1.
The first section which performs predetermined processing while traveling in a circulating manner through the parts supply zone 2, the processing and assembly zone 3, the manual work zone 4, the preliminary reworking zone 5, the transfer zone 6, etc. The intermediate product is transferred to other sections for sequential processing and assembly. Each of these will be described below, and then the procedure for processing or assembly will be described.

The automatic guided vehicle 1 has a driving source such as a storage battery and a power source, and is configured to be self-propelled on a floor by a traveling device including a motor and a steering mechanism. It is designed to be installed. An outline of the appearance of the automatic guided vehicle 1 is as shown in FIG. 2. A table 9 on which a work 8 is placed is provided in the center of a main body 7 so as to be rotatable, for example.
Also, the parts shelf 9a and the display device are provided on one side with respect to the traveling direction.
10 and an input / output device 11 are provided. Then, it is configured to instruct / manage running / stopping and work according to the information given from the input / output device 11. Here, the input / output device 11 is based on optical non-contact transmission, wireless communication, or the like.
The quantity, assembly procedure, assembly quality standard, standard cycle time, etc. are entered as work management information, and work result information such as quality, number of products, history of abnormal conditions, etc. is selected by the operator or automatic machine. Or voice input, optical non-contact transmission, wireless communication, or the like, is given from the input / output device 11 to the automated guided vehicle 1 and stored therein. Further, the information (quality etc.) of the automatic guided vehicle 1 can be output from the input / output device 11. On the other hand, the display device 10 is mainly for displaying the work management, and displays, for example, the work content to be performed at the position where the automatic guided vehicle 1 is stopped, the procedure, the standard cycle time and the remaining time. It is supposed to be displayed. Such a display is intended for an operator, but in the case of an automatic machine such as an automatic assembly machine, the automatic guided vehicle 1 is provided with a signal output function for the automatic machine. There is. It should be noted that the running / stopping of the automatic guided vehicle 1 and the selection of the route are performed based on the work management information, and therefore, the selection of the parts to be transported and the work content to be performed are also included in the work management information given to the automatic guided vehicle 1. It is carried out based on.

The guideway 12 for guiding the above-mentioned automated guided vehicle 1 is preset, and as the guide system, an electromagnetic guide system, an optical guide system, a teaching system, or an autonomous traveling system using a gyro or the like should be adopted. You can Further, in order to allow the guide path 12 to overtake and pass through unnecessary places, it is preferable to form a large number of bypass paths as shown in FIG. 1 instead of forming one annular path.

An information exchanging device 13 for exchanging information with the automated guided vehicle 1 is arranged near a predetermined starting point in the taxiway 12. The information exchanging device 13 is connected to a computer 14 in charge of production instruction and production management by a wire or a cable such as an optical fiber, and the input / output device 11 is connected to the automated guided vehicle 1 located at the start point of the taxiway 12. Work management information is given via the. Optical non-contact transmission or wireless communication can be used for information transmission between the information exchange device 13 and the input / output device 11.

The guideway 12 is a parts supply zone 2, a processing / assembly zone 3, a manual work zone 4, a machine work zone 15, an inspection zone.
15A, repair zone 5 and transfer zone 6 if necessary
It is formed so that the automatic guided vehicle 1 travels in this order.
Of these zones, the parts supply zone 2 has a plurality of stations 2a bypassing the main line of the taxiway 12, and a parts shelf 16 is arranged corresponding to the stations 2a. This parts shelf 16 is for carrying most of the parts required for the first section from the outside by a truck 17 or the like and aligning them at a predetermined position to store them. For example, as shown in FIG. Further, the shelf boards of each stage are configured to incline downward toward the station 2a. In the parts supply zone 2, rails installed on the ceiling side
A material handling robot (material handling robot) 19 that runs along 18 is provided. The material handling robot 19 is configured to perform an operation by teaching or a CAD operation performed in advance by a signal from the automated guided vehicle 1 or a signal from the computer 14, and the hand of the material handling robot 19 is intended to be a target. It is possible to use various types such as a general-purpose hand, a hand with an auto tool changer, or a hand with a plurality of clamps, which can be gripped regardless of the shapes of the parts to be used. Note that optical non-contact transmission, wireless communication, or the like can be used to exchange signals between the automated guided vehicle 1 and the material handling robot 19. And parts supply zone 2
The material handling robot 19 selects the required number of necessary parts from the parts shelf 16 by instructing the type of the work 8 by the signal output from the automated guided vehicle 1 stopped at the station 2a, and the automated guided vehicle 1 is determined. It is configured to be mounted in a fixed position.

The processing assembly zone 3 is a zone in which large parts that require processing in advance are additionally mounted on the automatic guided vehicle 1 and the parts already mounted and the large parts are assembled from the trunk line of the taxiway 12. Bypassed station 3a
In addition, the conveyor 20 is arranged toward the station 3a, and a material handling robot 21 similar to the material handling robot 19 described above is arranged on the tip side of the conveyor 20. Therefore, the automated guided vehicle 1 stops at the predetermined station 3a at its own discretion, and the automated guided vehicle 1
The material handling robot 21 is configured to transfer a large article suitable for the work 8 from the conveyor 20 to the automatic guided vehicle 1 by outputting a signal indicating the type of the work 8. An automatic assembling machine 22 for assembling these parts is provided in the working assembling zone 3. This automatic assembly machine 22
Are located along the bypass of taxiway 12, and the automated guided vehicle 1
Is stopped inside of the automatic guided vehicle 1 and the model information of the work is obtained from the automatic guided vehicle 1 in that state, so that the parts on the automatic guided vehicle 1 are automatically assembled. In addition,
Since the traveling route of the automatic guided vehicle 1 can be set arbitrarily, the automatic assembly machine 22 can be installed at any position depending on the guideway 12 or by providing a bypass appropriately.

The manual work zone 4 following the process assembly zone 3 is used by the worker 23.
This is a zone for manual assembly and processing by the operator, a station 4a bypassing the trunk line of the taxiway 12 is provided according to the arrangement of the workers 23, and the automatic guided vehicle 1 is a predetermined station based on the work management information. Select 4a and stop,
The worker 23 is supposed to work at that place.
In the manual work zone 4, the processes are integrated within the range that can be remembered by the worker 23, and the same process is arranged in parallel in the same zone according to the production amount. Needless to say, if the amount of manual work is large, a plurality of these zones are lined up. The automated guided vehicle 1 is adapted to select an open process (station) in each zone and enter that process. Therefore, fluctuations in the production amount can be dealt with by increasing or decreasing the number of processes as described above. On the display device 10 of the automated guided vehicle 1 stopped at the station 4a, the work content, work procedure, or quality information to be performed by the worker 23 is displayed, and at the same time, the time at which the work should be completed and the standard time are, for example, linear lines. It may be displayed as length or announced by voice. Therefore the worker
23 performs work according to the information known from the display device 10, and the work pace or work delay is controlled by itself based on the displayed time. In the manual work zone 4, work result information such as the working state of the work 8 is input to the automated guided vehicle 1 by the worker 23 and stored therein. This may be performed, for example, by providing the input / output device 11 with keys and allowing the operator 23 to operate the keys.

The machine working zone 15 is a zone in which a plurality of automatic machines 24 are arranged, and the work 8 on which the manual work has been completed is further machined. The automatic guided vehicle 1 is required based on the model information of the work 8. Automatic machines stop at 24 points, and also automatic machines
Reference numeral 24 is configured to automatically perform work according to the work 8 according to the model information of the work 8 given from the automatic guided vehicle 1.

The inspection zone 15A is a zone for arranging a plurality of inspection machines 31 or inspection operators who are shown in the drawing to check the quality of the work 8 that has been completed. The automated guided vehicle 1 requires the inspection machines 31 or not shown. It is configured to stop at a place such as in front of an operator, and the inspection machine 31 and the inspection operator inform the automated guided vehicle 1 of the result. This zone is unnecessary if the quality confirmation is surely performed in each work zone and the machine work zone together with each work, and the result is input to the automatic guided vehicle 1.

The repair zone 5 is a zone into which the automated guided vehicle 1 selectively enters based on the work result information, and an operation such as an automatic machine or a specially arranged worker according to the state of the work 8 is performed. It is a place to carry out, and if necessary, it may be provided by branching from the trunk line of the taxiway 12.

Information having a function of exchanging information with the automated guided vehicle 1 near the predetermined inspection zone 15A of the taxiway 12 and transmitting the result to the next section regardless of wireless or wired. A switching device 32 is arranged. This information exchanging device 32 collects necessary parts from the parts supply zone by the automatic guided vehicle 1 of the next section among the work information of the automatic guided vehicle 1 on which the work 8 for which the predetermined work is finished is placed. In the transfer zone 6 of the unmanned guided vehicle 1 on which the completed work of the section is mounted and the unmanned guided vehicle 1 on which the new assembly parts of the next section are mounted, the information necessary for coming (for example, the work type) For synchronization, it is sent from that section to the next section in advance. Optical contactless transmission or wireless communication can be used for information exchange between the information exchange device 32 and the input / output device 11.

The transfer zone 6 following this is for transferring the work 8 completed in the first section to the automated guided vehicle 1 of the second section, and includes the guideway 12 of the first section and the guideway of the second section. A plurality of taxiways are laid so as to be connected to the taxiways 12 between the taxiways and the taxiways 12, and the transfer device 25 is arranged across the taxiways. This transfer device 25
Is, for example, as shown in FIG.
An automatic guided vehicle having a lift mechanism 26 for lifting from the first section, the unmanned guided vehicle 1 of the first section is lifted up, and the unmanned guided vehicle 1 is replaced with a vehicle that travels in the second section, and then the work 8 is replaced. By lowering it to 1, the work 8 is transferred from the unmanned guided vehicle 1 of the first section to the unmanned guided vehicle 1 of the second section. On the contrary, of course, the lift mechanism is an automated guided vehicle 1.
The transfer device 25 may be a fixed base. Further, the transfer device 25 is provided with a function of transferring information such as the model and history of the work 8, between the unmanned guided vehicle 1 of the first section and the unmanned guided vehicle 1 of the second section, or between these. Information is exchanged between the automated guided vehicle 1 and the computer 14.

The automated guided vehicle 1 of the second section may have a structure and shape according to the work content of the second section. Also in the second section, the same parts supply zone 2, manual work zone 4, machine work zone 15, inspection zone 15A, or repair zone 5 and transfer zone 6 as those in the first section are set, and also the guideway. The transfer device 25 arranged along the line 12 receives the production instruction information together with the work 8 (transfer) → (part supply) → (machining / assembly)
→ (Rework), then sent to the next section.

Next, the production system of the present invention using the above equipment will be described.

First, the required parts are carried to the parts shelf 16 by a transportation means such as a truck 17 or an unmanned forklift, and put in a predetermined position on the parts shelf 16 in an optimum state such as being put on a pallet. On the other hand, the empty automated guided vehicle 1 starts from the information exchange device 13 at the starting point of the taxiway 12 from the type of the new work 8, the type and number of parts to be assembled, the assembly procedure, the assembly quality standard, and the standard cycle time. Work management information is entered.
This is performed based on the production management performed by the computer 14, such as the production plan.

The automated guided vehicle 1 to which the information is input determines the required station in the component supply zone 2 to receive the required component based on the information, and self-propels to the station 2a, where the material handling robot 19 The information such as the model of the work 8 is output to. The material handling robot 19 calls the required operation program from its own memory according to the given work type information, and operates according to the program, so that the required number of parts from the automatic guided vehicle 1 are automatically transferred from the parts shelf 16 to the unmanned part. Place it on the designated place of the car 1. In that case, it goes without saying that a hand corresponding to a required part is used by an auto tool changer or the like. It goes without saying that the parts can be transferred manually. In this case, the required parts and the like are displayed by the CRT or the voice from the automatic guided vehicle 1, and the worker selects the parts accordingly and mounts them on the automatic guided vehicle 1.
It is also possible to give an instruction from the automatic guided vehicle 1 by turning on the lamp of the parts shelf by an information communication device or by illuminating a corresponding pallet with a spotlight.

The automated guided vehicle 1 which has detected the completion of the transfer of the parts by the output signal from the material handling robot 19 determines the required station 3a in the machining assembly zone 3 based on the work management information, and the station 3a. Self-propelled to. The automated guided vehicle 1 stopped at the station 3a in the processing assembly zone 3 outputs the work type information to the material handling robot 21, and the material handling robot 21 transfers the large parts to the automated guided vehicle 1 accordingly. When the transfer is completed, the automated guided vehicle 1 moves to an appropriate automatic assembling machine 22, where parts are assembled to large parts. This is the same as when the material handling robots 19 and 21 described above operate by calling their programs based on the work type information, and the automatic assembly machine 22 automatically obtains the work type information from the automated guided vehicle 1. It operates by operating. That is, also in the automatic assembly machine 22, the operation proceeds in the order of (stop of the automated guided vehicle 1) → (output of information) → (execution of work) → (completion output). It should be noted that, by disposing the automatic assembly machine 22 in the station 3a, it is possible to carry out component mounting and assembly at the same time.

When the automatic assembly is completed, the automated guided vehicle 1 is moved to the manual work zone 4
Judge and select the required station 4a in and run by itself. Here, the automated guided vehicle 1 displays the work content to be performed by the worker 23 on the display device 10, and also displays the standard cycle time. The worker 23 carries out work while self-managing the work pace so as to meet the standard cycle time according to the displayed work procedure, and gives a completion instruction to the automatic guided vehicle 1 when the work is completed. The automated guided vehicle 1 is stopped until a work completion instruction is given. Therefore, even if the automated guided vehicle 1 outputs a work delay, the worker 23 stops the automated guided vehicle until he is satisfied. You can do the complete work. Further, when the automatic guided vehicle 1 detects a work delay for each step of the work or as a total elapsed time, it notifies the operator of the software softly, and when a delay of a certain level or more occurs, the rotation of the automatic guided vehicle 1 The light can be turned on, or the process manager can detect it by a rotating light or a work management board installed on the work station side via the information communication device. This display enables the process manager to assist the work and facilitates the improvement for shortening the work time.

At the end of the work in the automatic assembly machine 22, the manual work zone 4 and the machine work zone 15 which will be described later, information such as quality is input as history information to the automated guided vehicle 1 and stored therein. Transfer device at end of section
It is given to the computer 14 and the automated guided vehicle 1 of the second section through 25 or the like. This history information is effective in reducing the burden in the quality check process in the subsequent process.

The automated guided vehicle 1 that has passed through the manual work zone 4 selects a predetermined station in the machine work zone 15 and is self-propelled, and outputs the model information of the work 8 at that station, whereby the automatic machine 24 performs a predetermined work. Is applied to the work 8 and an end signal is output when the work is completed and the automatic guided vehicle 1
Moves to the next inspection zone 15A.

In the inspection zone 15A, the automatic guided vehicle 1 selects a predetermined station and enters, and an inspection machine therein or an operator (not shown) correctly performs a predetermined work and assembles parts according to a predetermined instruction. It is inspected whether or not it is carried out, and the result is input to the automatic guided vehicle 1. Of course, this zone is unnecessary if the quality confirmation is surely performed along with the work in the manual work zone 4 and the machine work zone 15 and the information is input to the automatic guided vehicle 1.

If there is any abnormality in the manual work zone 4 and the machine work zone 15, the automatic machine 24 and the worker 23
Based on the instruction to get out of the guide, the automated guided vehicle 1 is separated from the main line of the taxiway 12 and once sent to the repair zone 5, where predetermined work is performed and then returned to the main line of the taxiway 12 again. Can be driven to the zone. If there is any abnormality as a result of the inspection when there is the inspection zone 15A, the inspection zone 15A is separated from the taxiway 12, sent to the repair zone 5 and subjected to predetermined work, and then returned to the taxiway 12 again. And drive to the next zone.

The automated guided vehicle 1 is the automated guided vehicle 1 in the second section.
After passing inspection zone 15A to synchronize with
Information necessary for the work type or the like is supplied to the information exchange device 13 in the second section, for example, the information exchange device 3 with a transmission function provided after the inspection zone 15A in the first section.
The automatic guided vehicle 1 that has received the work management information such as the work type from the first section through the information exchange device 13 in advance in the second section requires the necessary parts in the parts supply zone 2. Transfer zone 6 that receives the number and continues to the parts supply zone 2
Drive towards. The above-mentioned information exchange device 32 is unnecessary if the automated guided vehicle 1 has a communication function. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, if the flow of the automated guided vehicle 1 of the second section is reversed from that shown in FIG. 1, the automated guided vehicle 1 will receive information from the transfer device 25 in the transfer zone 6. The information exchanging device 13 is not necessary because it is moved to the parts supply zone 2 after receiving the information.

In the transfer zone 6, the automatic guided vehicle 1 equipped with the work 8 is mounted.
Is stopped in the transfer device 25, and accordingly, the lift mechanism 26 of the transfer device 25 lifts the work 8 from the automatic guided vehicle 1,
Further, information regarding the work 8 of the automatic guided vehicle 1 is read into the transfer device 25 or the computer 14, and thereafter, the empty automatic guided vehicle 1 travels toward the start point of the taxiway 12 by itself. On the other hand, the automated guided vehicle 1 in the second section
Enters the transfer device 25 and stops, where the lift mechanism 26
Lowers the work 8 to the automatic guided vehicle 1. At the same time, the work 8 is transferred from the transfer device 25 to the automated guided vehicle 1 in the second section.
Information is given. This information is collated with information given in advance in order to synchronize with the automated guided vehicle 1 of the first section, and it is confirmed whether or not the received work 8 is error-free. The empty first section automatic guided vehicle 1 again moves to the location of the information exchanging device 13 to obtain information on the parts to be produced next, and the second section automated guided vehicle 1 receives the guideway 12 Along with to the manual working zone 4 in the second section, and the assembling of the parts is carried out in the same manner as described above.

Therefore, in the above-described production method, the computer 14 performs total management of the types and quantities of products to be produced, but the concrete guided operation is managed by the automated guided vehicle 1. That is, since the automatic guided vehicle instructs the worker what work is to be done and manages the working time, the worker can proceed according to the display of the automatic guided vehicle that has traveled before him. Therefore, since the content that relies on the memory of the operator is reduced, the work efficiency is improved, and erroneous missing items and erroneous work can be prevented, and the product quality can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the case where the parts are assembled / processed has been described as an example, but the present invention can be continuously assembled / processed by variously changing the configuration of each zone as necessary. It can also be applied when conducting inspections and the like.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION In the production system of the present invention, since the unmanned vehicle has not only the function of conveying parts and the function as the workbench but also the function of storing information and information processing, the unmanned vehicle can perform individual work. Since the management is carried out and therefore the distributed management is carried out as the whole production system, it is possible to continue the production even if the central computer is abnormal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of arrangement of facilities for carrying out the production system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an automatic guided vehicle, and FIG. 3 shows a structure of a parts supply zone. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a transfer device, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another arrangement example of equipment for carrying out the production system of the present invention. . 1 ... Automated guided vehicle, 2 ... Parts supply zone, 2a, 3a, 4a ...
... Station, 3 ... Processing assembly zone, 4 ... Manual work zone, 5 ... Rework zone, 6 ... Transfer zone, 8 ...
… Work, 10 …… Display device, 11 …… Input / output device, 12 ……
Taxiway, 13 ... Information exchange device, 14 ... Computer, 15
…… Machine work zone, 16 …… Parts shelf, 222 …… Automatic assembly machine, 23 …… Worker, 24 …… Automatic machine.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Sadanao Konno 1 Toyota-cho, Toyota-shi stock company (72) Inventor Shuichi Sunahara 1-cho, Toyota-cho Toyota-shi stock company (72) Inventor Yasuo Ishiguro Toyota City, Toyota City 1 Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shin Asada Toyota City, Toyota City 1 Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hajime Amano Toyota City 1 Toyota City Co., Ltd. Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (56) References JP 62-173155 (JP, A) JP 54-132764 (JP, A) JP 61-103215 (JP, A) JP 60-117386 (JP, A) Actual Kai 63-16280 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A guide path (12) passing through a plurality of work zones including a parts supply zone (2) having a station for supplying parts and an assembly zone (3) having a station for performing an assembly work by a parts assembling means. And an unmanned vehicle (1) traveling along the taxiway (12) is placed,
The unmanned vehicle (1) has a function of storing work management information,
Based on this information, it has a function to determine the required station and drive itself toward that station, a function to output the necessary production instructions for each station, and a function to mount parts. An information exchanging device (13) for exchanging work management information with 1) is arranged near the starting point of the taxiway (12) and given to the unmanned vehicle (1) from the information exchanging device (13). Based on the work management information obtained, an unmanned vehicle in the parts supply zone (selects and mounts necessary parts for 1 and drives the unmanned vehicle (1) to the assembly zone (3) to unmanned in the assembly zone (3). At a predetermined work station where the vehicle (1) is stopped, the unmanned vehicle (1) outputs a work instruction to be carried out at the station to the parts assembling means to carry out a product assembling work. Car There was production method.