Conveying device

Abstract

A transport facility (100) is provided with: a transport vehicle (1) that transports an object to be transported along a movement path; a wireless communication device (3) that performs wireless communication with the transport vehicle (1); and a moving body (2) that moves separately from the transport vehicle (1). The mobile body (2) is provided with an information collection device (21) that collects communication state information indicating the state of wireless communication between the transport vehicle (1) and the wireless communication device (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device, which includes a conveyance vehicle that conveys a conveyed object and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the conveyance vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A conveying device is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-166671 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1"), which includes a conveyance vehicle (12) that conveys a conveyed object and a wireless communication device (8) that performs wireless communication with the conveyance vehicle. In addition, the symbols shown in parentheses in the description of the background art are the symbols of Patent Document 1. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, generally speaking, wireless communication is more susceptible to the influence of the surrounding environment such as obstacles or radio wave interference than wired communication. Therefore, in order to make the wireless communication environment a good environment, it is desirable to grasp the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device. By grasping the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device, for example, it is possible to restart the wireless communication device, change the installation position, replace it, etc., so as to maintain a good wireless communication environment. In addition, the presence or magnitude of the influence of wireless communication from the surrounding environment may change depending on the layout or equipment configuration change in the conveying device. Therefore, regarding grasping the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device, it may be required not only when setting up the conveying device, but also afterwards. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to easily grasp the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device.

[0004] Then, there is a need to realize a conveying device that can easily grasp the state of wireless communication between a conveyance vehicle and a wireless communication device.

[0005] In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the conveying device is as follows: It is a conveying device including the following components: A conveyance vehicle that conveys a conveyed object along a moving path; and A wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the aforementioned conveyance vehicle, It further includes a moving body that moves separately from the aforementioned conveyance vehicle, The aforementioned moving body is provided with an information collection device that collects communication state information, which is information showing the state of wireless communication between the aforementioned conveyance vehicle and the aforementioned wireless communication device.

[0006] According to this feature configuration, communication status information can be collected by a moving body that moves separately from the transport vehicle. This communication status information is information showing the state of wireless communication between the transport vehicle and the wireless communication device. Thus, it is possible to easily grasp the state of wireless communication between the transport vehicle and the wireless communication device based on the communication status information. As a result, for example, it is possible to determine whether the wireless communication environment between the transport vehicle and the wireless communication device is good, and to improve this wireless communication environment. In addition, according to this configuration, since the moving body moves separately from the transport vehicle, it is possible to collect the communication status information without affecting the transport of the transported object by the transport vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a top view of the transport equipment according to the embodiment. Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the transport vehicle included in the transport equipment according to the embodiment. Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transport equipment according to the embodiment. Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the collection of communication status information by the information collection device during the execution of the load application process. Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the operation of the moving body when the information collection device collects the communication status information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0008] Hereinafter, the transport equipment 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As Figure 1 shown, the transport equipment 100 includes a transport vehicle 1, a moving body 2, and a wireless communication device 3. In the present embodiment, the transport equipment 100 includes a plurality of transport vehicles 1 and a plurality of moving bodies 2.

[0009] The transport vehicle 1 is configured to transport the transported object W (refer to Figure 2 ) along the movement path P. The transported object W is, for example, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) that houses semiconductor wafers.

[0010] The moving body 2 is configured to move separately from the transport vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the moving body 2 is configured to be able to move on a path different from the moving path P. In this example, the moving body 2 is an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to fly within a preset flight area A. Further, in this example, at least one flight area A is set in the transport device 100 in such a manner that at least one moving body 2 corresponds to one flight area A. Additionally, in this example, a standby unit 20 is provided in the transport device 100, and the standby unit 20 is for the takeoff and landing of the moving body 2 which is an unmanned aerial vehicle, and for the standby of the landed moving body 2. Preferably, a charging device for charging the battery provided in the moving body 2 is provided in the standby unit 20.

[0011] As Figure 2 shown, in the present embodiment, the transport device 100 further includes a track 4 extending along the moving path P. Moreover, the transport vehicle 1 is configured to travel on the track 4. In Figure 2 the example shown, a pair of tracks 4 are suspended and supported from the ceiling in a state spaced apart in the horizontal direction. That is, in this example, the transport vehicle 1 is an overhead transport vehicle.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 1 includes a traveling unit 11 that travels along the moving path P and a main body unit 12 coupled to the traveling unit 11.

[0013] The traveling unit 11 includes traveling wheels 11a that roll on the traveling surface (here, the upper surface) of the track 4. The traveling wheels 11a are rotationally driven by a traveling drive unit (for example, an electric motor such as a servo motor) not shown.

[0014] The main body unit 12 is suspended and supported by the traveling unit 11 in a state located below the track 4. The main body unit 12 includes: a support portion that is supported by the traveling unit 11 so as to be vertically movable and suspends and supports the conveyed object W; and a lifting unit (not shown) that lifts and lowers the support portion.

[0015] In addition, in Figure 2In the illustrated example, the transporter 1 is set as an overhead transporter that travels along a track 4 suspended and supported from the ceiling, but the type of the transporter 1 is not limited to this. For example, the transporter 1 may also be a rail transporter that travels along a track provided on the ground. Additionally, the transporter 1 may also be a trackless transporter such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) or an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot). When the transporter 1 is a trackless transporter, the transporter 1 travels along an imaginary movement path P instead of a physically formed movement path P using a track or the like. In this case, the movement path P is imaginarily formed by connecting a plurality of detected objects (for example, two-dimensional codes, RF (Radio Frequency) tags, etc.) provided on the ground. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which such detected objects are not provided on the ground, and the movement path P is imaginarily formed by a road calculated based on the recognition result of the surrounding environment.

[0016] As Figure 1 shown, in the present embodiment, the movement path P includes one main path Pa formed in a ring shape, a plurality of sub-paths Pb formed in a ring shape and each passing through a plurality of processing devices 5, and a plurality of connection paths Pc connecting the main path Pa and the plurality of sub-paths Pb.

[0017] The processing device 5 is a device for performing a predetermined process on the conveyed object W (or the container accommodated in the conveyed object W). For example, the conveyed object W that is the object of the process at the processing device 5 is transported into the processing device 5 by the transporter 1, and the conveyed object W after the process at the processing device 5 is transported out of the processing device 5 by the transporter 1.

[0018] As Figure 3 shown, the wireless communication device 3 is a device that performs wireless communication with the transporter 1. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 3 includes a plurality of wireless transceivers 31 (also refer to Figure 1 ) that are dispersedly arranged. The wireless transceiver 31 functions as an access point in wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the wireless transceivers 31 are provided at a plurality of positions along the movement path P in the conveying device 100. Here, in the present application, "wireless communication" refers to communication using a predetermined wireless communication standard (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), etc.).

[0019] In the present embodiment, the transporter 1 further includes a transporter communication device 13 that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 3.

[0020] The transport vehicle communication device 13 functions as a wireless station that wirelessly communicates with the wireless transceiver unit 31. The transport vehicle communication device 13 connects to the connection destination transceiver unit 31C (for example, the wireless transceiver unit 31 with the strongest radio wave intensity) selected from among the multiple wireless transceiver units 31 in a communicable manner by establishing a communication link therewith. As the transport vehicle 1 travels, the transport vehicle communication device 13 provided on the transport vehicle 1 performs switching (roaming) of the connection destination transceiver unit 31C that is the other party for establishing the communication link. For example, when the reception intensity of the radio wave from the connection destination transceiver unit 31C during the connection drops below a specified value, the connection destination transceiver unit 31C is switched.

[0021] In this way, in the present embodiment, each of the multiple transport vehicles 1 is connected to the connection destination transceiver unit 31C selected from among the multiple wireless transceiver units 31 in a communicable manner, and while switching the connection destination transceiver unit 31C, it moves along the movement path P.

[0022] The moving body 2 is provided with an information collection device 21. The information collection device 21 is a device that collects communication status information i. The communication status information i is information indicating the state of the wireless communication between the transport vehicle 1 and the wireless communication device 3 (for example, radio wave intensity, magnitude of electromagnetic noise, data retransmission rate, success or failure of wireless communication, etc.). In the present embodiment, the information collection device 21 is a radio wave receiving device that can receive the radio waves of the wireless communication between the transport vehicle 1 and the wireless communication device 3.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the moving body 2 is further provided with a moving body communication device 22. The moving body communication device 22 is a "communication device" that performs wireless communication with a communication object O. The communication object O is at least one of the wireless communication device 3 and the transport vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the communication object O is the wireless communication device 3.

[0024] As Figure 3 shown, in the present embodiment, the conveying device 100 is further provided with a transport vehicle control device 6 and a moving body control device 7.

[0025] The transport vehicle control device 6 is a device that controls the multiple transport vehicles 1 by communicating with each of the multiple transport vehicles 1 via the wireless communication device 3. In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle control device 6 is connected to the multiple wireless transceiver units 31 via a communication network N. The communication network N can be any one of wired, wireless, or a combination thereof.

[0026] In addition, in the present embodiment, a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operations of the transport vehicle 1 (e.g., traveling operation, handover operation of the transported object W, etc.) is provided in the transport vehicle 1. Moreover, the transport vehicle control device 6 communicates with the transport vehicle communication device 13 of the transport vehicle 1 via the wireless communication device 3, and issues instructions related to the above operations to the control unit of the transport vehicle 1.

[0027] The mobile body control device 7 is a device for controlling the mobile body 2. The mobile body control device 7 can be installed, for example, in a tablet terminal or in a controller operated by an operator. In the present embodiment, a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operations of the mobile body 2 (traveling operation (in this example, flying operation), collection operation of the communication status information i using the information collection device 21, etc.) is provided in the mobile body 2. Moreover, the mobile body control device 7 performs wireless communication with the mobile body communication device 22 of the mobile body 2, and issues instructions related to the above operations to the control unit of the mobile body 2.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the mobile body 2 is configured to recognize its own current position. Moreover, the mobile body control device 7 acquires position information indicating the current position of the mobile body 2 from the mobile body 2. Further, the mobile body control device 7 acquires the communication status information i collected by the information collection device 21 from the mobile body 2, and stores it in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the mobile body control device 7 in association with the above position information.

[0029] As Figure 4 shown, in the present embodiment, the mobile body communication device 22 is configured to execute a load assignment process. Moreover, the information collection device 21 collects the communication status information i during the execution of the load assignment process. The load assignment process is a process of performing communication with the communication object O to increase the communication load of the communication object O (here, the connection destination transceiver unit 31C of the wireless communication device 3). In the present embodiment, as the load assignment process, the mobile body communication device 22 transmits a large amount of load data d to the connection destination transceiver unit 31C.

[0030] In the load imparting process, the communication speed in the wireless communication between the mobile communication device 22 and the connection destination transceiver unit 31C can also be preset to a sufficiently large value in advance, and the communication volume of the load data d per unit time can be calculated as the maximum measured value of the communication speed in the wireless communication between the transporter communication device 13 and the connection destination transceiver unit 31C. In addition, in the case where there are multiple mobile bodies 2, the mobile communication device 22 of one mobile body 2 can also perform the process of sending a large amount of load data d to the mobile communication device 22 of another mobile body 2, and the communication volume of the load data d per unit time in this process can be calculated as the maximum measured value of the communication speed in the wireless communication between the transporter communication device 13 and the connection destination transceiver unit 31C. In such a case, since wireless communication is generally performed through a common channel, the communication speed in the wireless communication performed by the mobile communication device 22 can be treated equivalently to the communication speed in the wireless communication between the transporter communication device 13 and the connection destination transceiver unit 31C.

[0031] As Figure 5 shown, in the present embodiment, the mobile body 2 moves along the track 4 and simultaneously collects communication status information i through the information collection device 21. In this example, the mobile body 2 moves in a state adjacent to the transporter 1 related to the communication status information i to be collected, and simultaneously collects the communication status information i through the information collection device 21.

[0032] 〔Other Embodiments〕 (1) In the above embodiment, the following configuration has been described as an example: the mobile body 2 moves along the track 4 and simultaneously collects communication status information i through the information collection device 21. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, it can also be configured as follows: the mobile body 2 moves to the vicinity of the wireless transceiver unit 31 related to the communication status information i to be collected, and collects the communication status information i through the information collection device 21.

[0033] (2) In the above embodiment, the following configuration has been described as an example: the mobile body 2 can move on a path different from the movement path P of the transporter 1. However, it is not limited to such a configuration, and it can also be configured such that the mobile body 2 moves on the movement path P of the transporter 1 (for example, a vehicle traveling on the track 4). In addition, such a mobile body 2 can be either a mobile body that transports the transported object W in the same manner as the transporter 1 in normal times or a dedicated mobile body that does not transport the transported object W and collects the communication status information i.

[0034] (3)In the above-described embodiment, the following configuration has been described as an example: the communication object O is the wireless communication device 3. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. The communication object O may not be the wireless communication device 3 but the transport vehicle 1, or the communication object O may be both the wireless communication device 3 and the transport vehicle 1.

[0035] (4)In the above-described embodiment, the following configuration has been described as an example: the mobile body control device 7 gives an instruction to the control unit of the mobile body 2. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, it may be configured as follows: the mobile body control device 7 is installed in each of the plurality of mobile bodies 2, and the plurality of mobile bodies 2 operate independently or cooperate with each other.

[0036] (5)In the above-described embodiment, the following configuration has been described as an example: as the load application process, the mobile body communication device 22 sends a large amount of load data d to the connection destination transceiver unit 31C. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, it may be configured in the following manner: the mobile body communication device 22 generates electromagnetic noise as the load application process. In this configuration, in the case where there are a plurality of mobile bodies 2, the information collection device 21 of another mobile body 2 may collect the communication state information i.

[0037] (6)In the above-described embodiment, the following configuration has been described as an example: the wireless transceivers 31 are provided at a plurality of positions along the movement path P in the transport device 100. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers 31 may be mounted on the mobile body 2. Thus, in the case where the transport vehicle communication device 13 cannot perform wireless communication with the wireless transceivers 31 provided at a plurality of positions along the movement path P due to weak radio wave intensity or the like, wireless communication can be performed with the wireless transceiver 31 mounted on the mobile body 2.

[0038] (7)In addition, the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can also be combined and applied with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction is generated. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all aspects. Therefore, various changes can be appropriately made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0039] 〔Summary of this embodiment〕 Hereinafter, an overview of the transport device described above will be described.

[0040] A transport device, which is a transport device including the following components: A transport vehicle that transports a transported object along a movement path; and A wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the aforementioned transport vehicle It also has a moving body that moves separately from the aforementioned transporter. The aforementioned moving body is equipped with an information collection device that collects communication status information, which is information showing the status of wireless communication between the aforementioned transporter and the aforementioned wireless communication device.

[0041] According to this configuration, it is possible to collect communication status information, which is information showing the status of wireless communication between the transporter and the wireless communication device, by a moving body that moves separately from the transporter. Thus, it is possible to easily grasp the status of wireless communication between the transporter and the wireless communication device based on the communication status information. As a result, for example, it is possible to determine whether the wireless communication environment between the transporter and the wireless communication device is good, and to improve the wireless communication environment. In addition, according to this configuration, since the moving body moves separately from the transporter, it is possible to collect communication status information without affecting the transportation of goods by the transporter.

[0042] Here, it is appropriate that the aforementioned moving body is further equipped with a communication device that performs wireless communication with at least one of the communication objects, namely the aforementioned wireless communication device and the aforementioned transporter. The aforementioned communication device is configured to execute a load assignment process of performing communication with the aforementioned communication object to increase the communication load of the aforementioned communication object. The aforementioned information collection device collects the aforementioned communication status information during the execution of the aforementioned load assignment process.

[0043] According to this configuration, it is possible to collect communication status information in an environment where the wireless communication between the transporter and the wireless communication device is poor. Therefore, it is possible to more strictly determine whether the wireless communication environment between the transporter and the wireless communication device is good, and to more appropriately improve the wireless communication environment.

[0044] In addition, it is appropriate that it also has a track extending along the aforementioned moving path. The aforementioned transporter is configured to travel on the aforementioned track. The aforementioned moving body is configured to be able to move on a path different from the aforementioned moving path, move along the aforementioned track, and simultaneously collect the aforementioned communication status information through the aforementioned information collection device.

[0045] According to this configuration, since the moving body can move on a path different from the moving path of the transporter, it is possible to efficiently collect communication status information. In addition, according to this configuration, the mobile body moves along the track that constitutes the movement path of the transporter and simultaneously collects communication status information. Therefore, it is possible to collect communication status information indicating the state of the actual wireless communication proximity between the transporter and the wireless communication device.

[0046] In addition, it is preferable that further include: a plurality of the aforementioned transporters; and a transporter control device that controls the plurality of aforementioned transporters by communicating with each of the plurality of aforementioned transporters via the aforementioned wireless communication device. The aforementioned wireless communication device includes a plurality of wireless transceiver units that are dispersedly arranged. Each of the plurality of aforementioned transporters is connected in such a way that it can communicate with a connection destination transceiver unit selected from the plurality of aforementioned wireless transceiver units, and switches the connection destination transceiver unit and simultaneously moves along the aforementioned movement path.

[0047] According to this configuration, the plurality of wireless transceiver units are dispersedly arranged. Moreover, the plurality of transporters move along the movement path and are simultaneously connected to a connection destination transceiver unit selected from the plurality of wireless transceiver units and perform wireless communication with the connection destination transceiver unit. Therefore, the state of the wireless communication is likely to change depending on both the location and the time. According to this configuration, by collecting the communication status information using the mobile body as described above, it is possible to appropriately grasp the state of the wireless communication that is likely to change depending on the location and the time.

Industrial Applicability

[0048] The technology related to the present disclosure can be applied to a transportation device including a transporter for transporting a transported object and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the transporter.

Reference Signs

[0049] 100: Transportation device 1: Transporter 2: Mobile body 21: Information collection device 22: Mobile body communication device (communication device) 3: Wireless communication device 31: Wireless transceiver unit 31C: Connection destination transceiver unit 4: Track 6: Transporter control device 7: Mobile body control device W: Transported object P: Movement path O: Communication object i: Communication status information

Claims

1. A conveying device, which is a conveying device having the following components: A transport vehicle that transports the object along a moving path; and a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating with the transport vehicle, The conveying device has the following characteristics: It also includes a moving body that moves separately from the transport vehicle, The mobile body includes an information collecting device that collects communication status information indicating a status of wireless communication between the transport vehicle and the wireless communication device.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The mobile body further includes a communication device for performing wireless communication with a communication partner that is at least one of the wireless communication device and the transport vehicle. The communication device is configured to perform a load imparting process for performing communication with the communication object to increase the communication load of the communication object. The information collecting device collects the communication state information during execution of the load imparting process.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, Also provided is a track extending along the moving path, The transport vehicle is configured to travel on the track. The moving body is configured to be movable along a path different from the moving path, and collects the communication status information by the information collecting device while moving along the track.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, Also available: a plurality of said transport vehicles; and a transport vehicle control device that communicates with each of the plurality of transport vehicles via the wireless communication device to control the plurality of transport vehicles, The wireless communication device includes a plurality of wireless transceiver units arranged in a dispersed manner. Each of the plurality of transport vehicles is connected to a connection destination transceiver selected from the plurality of wireless transceivers so as to be communicable, and moves along the movement path while switching the connection destination transceiver.

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