JP6729498B2 - Parts verification system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a component collation system that collates information on a component box side in which a component is stored with information on a storage unit side in which the component box is loaded.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a production factory, for example, when assembling parts to a work conveyed by a conveyor, a parts shelf is installed around an assembling line, and an assembling operator stores the parts shelf ( Parts are often taken out from the parts box stored in (also called frontage) and assembled to the work.

Then, when replenishing the parts shelf with parts, the transport operator collects the empty parts box from the storage part of the parts shelf and also removes the parts box transported using the carrier truck. It is common to put it in the storage part of the parts shelf.

When loading a component box into such a storage unit, it is common for a transport operator to visually check the number information on the component box side and the corresponding number information on the storage unit side. However, there is a possibility that the component box may be thrown into the wrong storage section only by visual verification.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, a two-dimensional code provided in a component box of a component to be replenished by using a component erroneous component prevention device (reading device) that can be held and operated by an operator, It is disclosed that a two-dimensional code provided on the front side of a parts shelf for replenishing the parts is read in this order to determine whether or not these are corresponding ones.

JP, 2011-020753, A

According to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the two-dimensional code of the component box and the component shelf is collated by the reading device, and the component box is put into the component shelf, so that the component number is mistaken and the component is placed in a different frontage depending on the assumption. It is said that it can be prevented from throwing in.

However, in Patent Document 1, in addition to the visual confirmation work and the transportation and loading work, the reading device is taken out, the two-dimensional code on the parts box side is read, the reading device is stored, the reading device is taken out again, and the parts shelf ( Since the number of steps such as reading the two-dimensional code on the frontage side and storing the reading device is significantly increased, there is a possibility that the working time becomes long and the burden on the worker becomes heavy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to reduce the number of man-hours required for collating the information on the component box side and the information on the storage unit side in the component collation system to reduce the working time. It is to shorten the load and reduce the burden on the operator.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the component collation system according to the present invention, a component-type information reading device attached to a worker's hand is used, and a component box The information on the box side and the information on the storage section side are collated.

Specifically, the present invention is directed to a component collation system that collates information on a component box side in which a component is stored with information on a storage unit side in which the component box is loaded.

The component collation system has a function of reading a QR code and a function of reading an RFID tag, has a wearable reading device to be mounted on one hand of an operator, and has a plurality of the storage units. And a component shelf in which a RFID tag is provided in the storage section, and the wearable reading device has a function of reading the RFID tag for a predetermined time after reading the QR code provided in the component box. In the operation of inserting the component box into the storage portion by the worker, the RFID tag is configured to be read when one hand of the operator holding the component box passes around the RFID tag. It is a feature.

According to this configuration, since the QR code (registered trademark) provided on the component box is read by using the wearable reader that is mounted on the operator's hand, the QR code (registered trademark) is compared to the handheld reader, for example. The work of taking out and storing can be omitted, whereby the man-hours can be reduced, the working time can be shortened, and the burden on the worker can be reduced.

Further, since the function of reading the RFID tag operates for a predetermined time after reading the QR code provided in the parts box, the RFID tag can be read without requiring a new operation in the wearable reading device. Can be migrated.

Further, in the operation of inserting the component box into the storage portion by the worker, the hand of the worker holding the component box with the wearable reading device reads the RFID tag when passing around the RFID tag. In other words, since the collation is performed during the operation in which the worker inserts the component box into the storage unit, the operation itself only for reading can be omitted. As a result, the man-hours can be significantly reduced, the working time can be significantly shortened, and the burden on the operator can be greatly reduced.

As described above, according to the component collating system according to the present invention, the man-hour required for collating the information on the component box side with the information on the storage unit side is reduced, the working time is shortened, and the burden on the worker is reduced. It can be reduced.

It is a figure which illustrates typically the parts collation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows a component shelf typically. It is a figure which shows typically a wearable QR code/UHF band RFID reader. It is a figure which illustrates typically the condition which reads a QR code. It is a figure explaining typically the situation which is carrying the parts box. It is a figure explaining typically the situation which throws in a parts box in a frontage. It is a figure which shows a collation processing machine typically. It is a block diagram which explains typically the flow of the work of putting a parts box into the parts shelf, the figure (a) shows the case where a handheld reader is used, and the figure (b) shows the parts collation system. The case where it is used is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of a handheld reader typically.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a component matching system according to this embodiment. This parts verification system includes a wearable QR code/UHF band RFID reader 1 (see FIG. 3), a parts shelf 10, and a verification processor 50 (see FIG. 7). Information on the side of the component box 20 when the worker P puts the component box 20 transported by using the carrier truck 40 into the component shelf 10 into the frontage (storage section) 11 of the component shelf 10 in order to replenish the component shelf 10. And the information on the frontage 11 side are collated mechanically. In other words, this component collation system mechanically assists the visual confirmation performed by the operator P when the component box 20 is loaded into the corresponding frontage 11 on the component shelf 10, and the component box 20 is loaded into the correct frontage 11. Whether or not it has been performed is determined in real time.

The parts box 20 put in the frontage 11 accommodates a plurality of parts (not shown) to be assembled to a work (not shown) in, for example, an assembling work. A signboard 21 as shown in an enlarged scale in FIG. 1 is attached to the parts box 20. Information such as the supplier of the parts, number information XXX (X is a number indicating the product number, alphabet, etc.), QR code (registered trademark) 22, etc. are printed on this signboard 21 as indicated by ○ and □. Has been done.

FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the component shelf 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the parts shelf 10 has a plurality of openings 11 corresponding to the types of parts, and a parts box 20 can be inserted into each opening 11. The parts shelf 10 may be configured to be movable by attaching casters (not shown), for example. A position fixing holder 12 as a label holder is fixed to the lower left of the front of each frontage 11 in the parts shelf 10, and a display label 13 is inserted into the position fixing holder 12.

On each display label 13, information on the component box 20 corresponding to (inserted into) the frontage 11 provided at the lower left of the display label 13 is printed. Specifically, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1, each display label 13 is printed with information such as the supplier of the component as indicated by ◯ and □, and number information XXX. Thereby, the worker P compares the information printed on the signboard 21 of the parts box 20 (information on the parts box side) with the information printed on the display label 13 (information on the storage part side), It is possible to confirm whether or not the box 20 and the frontage 11 which is about to insert the component box 20 correspond to each other.

Unlike the signboard 21 attached to the parts box 20, the display label 13 does not have the QR code 22 printed thereon. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a UHF band RFID tag (RFID tag) 14 in which information of the corresponding component box 20 (for example, information corresponding to the QR code 22) is written is attached to the back side of each display label 13. Has been. The UHF band RFID tag 14 will be described later.

However, the visual check by the operator P alone may cause the component box 20 to be erroneously inserted into the frontage 11 that does not correspond to the component box 20 due to misunderstanding or belief. Therefore, conventionally, for example, a handheld reader 101 as shown in FIG. 9 is used to mechanically collate the information on the parts box side with the information on the frontage side.

Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment, a conventional work of inserting the component box into the component shelf using the handheld reader 101 will be described. FIG. 8A is a block diagram schematically illustrating the flow of the work of loading the component box into the component shelf when the handheld reader 101 is used. Unlike the present embodiment, a QR code is printed on the conventional display label of each frontage.

In the conventional loading operation, as shown in FIG. 8A, first, (B2-1) the operator visually confirms the number information on the signboard of the parts box. Next, (B2-2) for example, the handheld reader 101 is taken out from the holder attached to the waist of the worker, and (B2-3) the handheld reader 101 is used to read and read the QR code on the signboard of the parts box. After (B2-4), the handheld reader 101 is stored in the holder.

Then, the operator heads to the parts shelf while holding the parts box, visually confirms the number information of the display label of the frontage (B2-5), and then inserts the parts box (B2-6) into the frontage. Then, (B2-7) the operator takes out the handheld reader 101 from the holder again, and (B2-8) uses the handheld reader 101 to read the QR code of the display label.

Here, if the QR code on the signboard matches the QR code on the display label, that effect (indication that the parts box has been inserted into the correct frontage) is displayed on the display 102 or the like of the handheld reader 101, and the display is confirmed. After that (B2-9), a series of operations of storing the handheld reader 101 again in the holder was performed.

As described above, in the conventional loading operation, the information on the component box side is read (B2-2 to B2-4), the component box is loaded (B2-6), and the information on the frontage side is read (B2-7 to B2-). Since the worker must perform three different operations of 9) and these operations are repeated, there is a problem that the working time becomes relatively long and a physical burden is imposed. Not only that, when reading the QR code on either the parts box side or the frontage side, the work of taking out and storing the handheld reader 101 is involved. There is a problem that work time becomes longer due to stacking.

Therefore, in the component collation system of the present embodiment, in order to shorten the working time and reduce the physical burden on the worker P, the wearable QR code/UHF band RFID reading attached to one hand of the worker P is performed. Using the device (wearable reader) 1, the operator P collates the information on the component box 20 side with the information on the frontage 11 side in the operation of inserting the component box 20 into the frontage 11. .. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the wearable QR code/UHF band RFID reader 1. This wearable QR code/UHF band RFID reader 1 (hereinafter also referred to as QR code/RFID reader 1) has a function of reading a QR code 22 and a function of reading a UHF band RFID tag 14, It is to be worn on the left hand (one hand) of the person P.

As shown in FIG. 3, the QR code/RFID reader 1 is formed integrally with the band-type mounting portion 2 wound around the left wrist of the worker P and the mounting portion 2, and covers the back of the left hand of the worker P. The fixed portion 3, the reading device main body portion 4 fixed to the central portion of the fixed portion 3, the battery 7 inserted into the case 2a provided in the mounting portion 2, and the fixed portion 3 provided at a portion corresponding to the index finger. The read switch 8 is provided.

In this QR code/RFID reader 1, the attachment part 2 is wrapped around the left wrist, the index finger is passed through an annular part provided on the inner end part 3a of the fixed part 3, and the outer end part 3b of the fixed part 3 is inserted. By passing the ring finger through the annular portion provided on the, the left hand is supported at three points. As described above, the QR code/RFID reader 1 is firmly attached to the left hand by being supported at three points, but the five fingers of the left hand are hardly restrained. It is possible to carry out the work such as carrying the component box 20 in the same manner as in the case where 1 is not attached.

The reading device main body 4 includes the QR code/RFID reading device 1 attached to the left hand of the worker P, the QR code reading device 5 located on the fingertip side (tip side), and the wrist side (base end side). Is integrated with the RFID reader 6 located at. The QR code reading device 5 and the RFID reading device 6 operate by using the battery 7 as a power source.

The QR code reading device 5 is configured to be activated by the worker P pressing the reading switch 8 and to read the QR code 22 existing in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the worker P directs the fingertip of the left hand toward the signboard 21 attached to the parts box 20 and presses the reading switch 8 with the thumb of the left hand, for example, the QR code reading device 5 Is activated, and the QR code 22 printed on the signboard 21 is read. The QR code reading device 5 is configured to hold (store) the number information XXX of the component box 20 based on the read QR code 22.

As described above, in the component collation system of the present embodiment, the QR code/RFID reader 1 mounted on the left hand of the worker P is used to read the QR code 22 of the signboard 21 of the component box 20, and thus the handheld type Compared to the case where the reading device 101 is used, the taking out operation and the storing operation of the handheld reading device 101 corresponding to (B2-2) and (B2-4) in FIG. It is possible to shorten the work time accordingly.

On the other hand, the RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) reading device 6 reads the UHF band RFID tag 14 attached to the back side of the display label 13 by using UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) which is a radio wave having a frequency of 300 MHz to 3 GHz as a read radio wave. Is configured. The RFID reading device 6 and the UHF band RFID tag 14 are publicly known ones, and although detailed description thereof is omitted, they are configured to perform data transmission on the following principle.

That is, (1) Information is transmitted on a read radio wave from an antenna (not shown) of the RFID reading device 6. (2) The antenna (not shown) of the UHF band RFID tag 14 receives the read radio wave from the RFID reading device 6. (3) Electric power is generated in the antenna of the UHF band RFID tag 14 by the rectification. (4) The generated electric power causes a control circuit (not shown) and a memory (not shown) of the UHF band RFID tag 14 to operate and perform necessary processing. (5) The information written in the memory of the UHF band RFID tag 14 is returned on the reply radio wave from the antenna. (6) The antenna of the RFID reading device 6 receives the return radio wave from the UHF band RFID tag 14. (7) The control unit (not shown) of the RFID reading device 6 extracts information from the return radio wave.

While utilizing the above-described data transmission principle, the RFID reading device 6 of the present embodiment uses the antenna so that the read radio wave to the UHF band RFID tag 14 is emitted only in a specific direction (the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 3). The design is done. In addition, the antenna itself is provided with directivity by radio wave shielding by a radio wave shielding film (not shown). In combination with such antenna design and electromagnetic wave shielding, the RFID reader 6 places the UHF band RFID tag 14 in a direction other than the specific direction, more specifically, the parts box 20 so that the palm of the left hand faces the inside. It is difficult to read the UHF band RFID tag 14 other than the lower side when holding it.

On the other hand, the position fixing holder 12 into which the display label 13 to which the UHF band RFID tag 14 is attached is inserted and operates when guided by the UHF band RFID tag 14 when the display label 13 is inserted to a predetermined position. It has an amplifying device that enhances the return radio wave of the UHF band RFID tag 14 with respect to the read radio wave coming from a fixed direction (upward). Further, the position fixing holder 12 is configured so as not to easily receive radio waves from a read radio wave from a direction (downward or lateral) that the user does not want to read intentionally, and also the antenna of the UHF band RFID tag 14 is used. It has a radio wave shielding structure that suppresses the return radio waves from radiating (spreading in the left-right direction (width direction of the component shelf 10)). This makes it even more difficult for the RFID reading device 6 to read the UHF band RFID tag 14 other than below when the component box 20 is held so that the palm of the left hand faces inward.

Further, since the reading radio wave in the UHF band generally has a long reading distance and the reading range tends to be wide, the output power of the RFID reading device 6 is suppressed in the present embodiment. Further, since the reading range of the UHF band reading radio waves is likely to be wide, the output power can be suppressed even if adjustment is made to expand the reading range. As a result, in the RFID reader 6 of the present embodiment, the battery capacity can be reduced to half or less as compared with, for example, a conventional HF band RFID reader even when operated for the same time. Therefore, in the QR code/RFID reader 1 of the present embodiment, the battery 7 can be made smaller and lighter, and even if the QR code/RFID reader 1 is attached to the left hand of the worker P, It is possible for the worker P to work without feeling the weight.

The RFID reading device 6 configured as described above is different from the QR code reading device 5 activated by the worker P pressing the reading switch 8, and the QR code reading device 5 does not involve the operation of the worker P. The function for reading the UHF band RFID tag 14 is activated for a predetermined time T after the QR code 22 is read by. Specifically, the RFID reading device 6 is configured to switch to the RFID reading mode at the same time when the QR code reading device 5 reads the QR code 22, and the RFID reading mode continues for a predetermined time T (for example, 10 seconds). ing. That is, the RFID reading device 6 can read the return radio wave of the UHF band RFID tag 14 within the predetermined time T.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the QR code reading device 5 reads the QR code 22, the RFID reading device 6 is switched to the RFID reading mode at the same time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The read radio wave EW is output downward from the antenna of the RFID reading device 6 while the 20 is being carried toward the component shelf 10. Note that in FIG. 5, the right hand of the operator P holding the right side of the component box 20 is omitted in order to make the diagram easy to see.

Then, in the RFID reader 6, when the worker P inserts the part box 20 into the frontage 11, the left hand (the RFID reader 6) of the worker P holding the part box 20 is in the vicinity of the UHF band RFID tag 14. It is configured to read the UHF band RFID tag 14 when passing (upper). Specifically, when the worker P inserts the component box 20 into the corresponding frontage 11 as shown in FIG. 6 during the predetermined time T after switching to the RFID reading mode, the RFID operation is When the UHF band RFID tag 14 attached to the display label 13 enters within the range (reading range) of the read radio wave EW output downward from the antenna of the reading device 6, the above (1) to (7) On the basis of the principle, the UHF band RFID tag 14 outputs a return radio wave, and the RFID reading device 6 acquires the information written in the UHF band RFID tag 14. Note that, in FIG. 6, the right hand of the operator P holding the right side of the component box 20 is omitted in order to make the diagram easy to see.

Here, since the UHF band RFID has a wide reading range, as shown in FIG. 2, even when it is desired to read the information of the display label 13A of the frontage 11 into which the component box 20 is inserted, the display label 13B or the upper one is displayed. The information of the display label 13C on the right side facing the front, the display label 13D on the left side facing the front, and the display label 13E one below may be misread, but in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned antenna design and radio wave shielding are performed. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the probability of misreading.

That is, due to the antenna design and the electromagnetic wave shielding, as shown in FIG. 6, when the worker P holds the parts box 20 so that the palm of the left hand faces inward, the read electromagnetic wave EW is emitted only below. It is difficult to assume that the person P takes a posture in which the palm of the left hand faces outward, and for the read radio wave EW from a direction (downward) in which the position fixing holder 12 does not intentionally read. Since it is configured to hardly receive radio waves, it is possible to prevent misreading of the information on the display label 13B one level above. Further, the position fixing holder 12 is configured to be hard to receive a radio wave EW from a direction (side) in which it is not intentionally read, and a return radio wave from the antenna of the UHF band RFID tag 14 is also provided. Since it has a radio wave shielding structure that suppresses the emission of light, it is possible to prevent misreading of information on the display labels 13C and 13D on the right and left sides when facing the front. Further, since the output power of the RFID reading device 6 is suppressed and the reading distance of the reading radio wave EW is suppressed from becoming long, it is possible to prevent erroneous reading of the information on the display label 13E one below.

As described above, the QR code 22 which is the information on the parts box 20 side read by the QR code reading device 5 and the UHF band RFID tag 14 which is the information on the frontage 11 side read by the RFID reading device 6 The information written in is transmitted to the collation processor 50 shown in FIG. 7 and collated by the collation processor 50. The collation processor 50 is composed of, for example, a small tablet PC, and can be carried by the worker P by, for example, putting it in a chest pocket. Then, in the collation processor 50, when the collation result is “true”, the component box 20 is put into the correct frontage 11 by sounding a pass sound or turning on the OK display portion 51. This is notified to the worker P.

On the other hand, when the collation result is “false”, the collation processor 50 sounds a reject tone different from the pass tone, or turns on or blinks the NG display section 52, so that the component box 20 is erroneous. The worker P is notified that the front end 11 has been thrown in. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect components from being attached to the work, for example, in an assembling work of assembling the components taken out from the component shelf 10 into the work.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram schematically illustrating the flow of the work of loading the component box 20 into the component shelf 10 when the component matching system of this embodiment is used. The difference between the loading operation of the component box 20 of the present embodiment into the component shelf 10 and the conventional loading operation using the handheld reader 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, first, (B1-1) the operator P visually confirms the number information XXX of the signboard 21 of the component box 20. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the worker P points the tip of the QR code reading device 5 toward the signboard 21 and presses the reading switch 8, so that (B1-2) the QR code 22 of the signboard 21 of the parts box 20. To read.

Next, the operator P visually holds the number information XXX on the display label 13A of the frontage 11 while holding the parts box 20 (B1-3), and then inserts the (B1-4) parts box 20 into the frontage 11. At this time, the left hand of the worker P holding the parts box 20 passes around the UHF band RFID tag 14 so that the RFID reader 6 reads the information written in the UHF band RFID tag 14 and the collation processor 50 causes the RFID reader 6 to read the information. The collation result is notified to the worker P in real time.

As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the operator conventionally needed to perform the QR code reading work twice, whereas in the present embodiment, the second reading work is performed. By omitting, it becomes possible to shorten the working time.

Moreover, regarding the reading work, the taking out operation and the storing operation of the handheld reading device 101 corresponding to (B2-2) and (B2-4) in FIG. 8A are unnecessary in the present embodiment. It is possible to greatly reduce the working time.

Further, in the conventional loading operation, the information on the parts box side is read (B2-2 to B2-4), the parts box is loaded (B2-6), and the information on the frontage side is read (B2-7 to B2-9). The operator must perform these three different operations, but in the present embodiment, the two operations of reading information on the part box 20 side (B1-2) and putting in the part box 20 (B1-3) will suffice. Therefore, the physical burden on the worker P can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or the main feature.

In the above embodiment, the case where the QR code/RFID reader 1 attached to the left hand of the worker P is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the QR code/RFID reader 1 attached to the right hand of the worker P. May be used. In this case, it is preferable to provide the display label 13 at the lower right of each frontage 11.

Further, in the above embodiment, the QR code/RFID reader 1 and the collation processor 50 are separated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the QR code/RFID reader 1 and the collation processor 50 can be integrated into a worker. The collation result may be confirmed by looking at the OK display unit 51 and the NG display unit 52 where P is located on the back of the left hand.

As described above, the above embodiments are merely examples in all respects, and should not be limitedly interpreted. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent range of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, since it is possible to reduce the man-hour required for collating the information on the part box side with the information on the storage part side, it is possible to shorten the working time and the burden on the operator, and therefore, it is applied to the part collating system. And is extremely beneficial.

1 Wearable QR code/UHF RFID reader (wearable reader)
10 Parts shelf 11 Frontage (storage section)
14 UHF RFID tags (RFID tags)
20 parts box 22 QR code P worker T predetermined time

Claims (1)

A component collation system for collating information on a component box side in which a component is stored with information on a storage unit side in which the component box is put
A wearable reading device that has a function of reading a QR code and a function of reading an RFID tag, and is attached to one hand of an operator;
While having a plurality of the storage unit, and a component shelf provided with an RFID tag in each storage unit,
In the wearable reading device, the function of reading the RFID tag operates for a predetermined time after reading the QR code provided in the parts box, and at the time of the operation of inserting the parts box into the storage portion by the operator. The component matching system is configured to read the RFID tag when one hand of an operator holding the component box passes around the RFID tag.

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