Equipment operation management system

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of appropriately ascertaining the condition of a device. A device operation management system includes: a signal tower lighting detection unit that detects a lighting state of a signal tower that outputs a signal indicating at least whether a device is operating or not operating; a door opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening / closing of a door of the device; a PC power supply detection unit that detects the on / off state of a plurality of PCs used in the device; a platform signal collection unit that collects signals from the signal tower lighting detection unit, the door opening / closing detection unit, and the PC power supply detection unit; a monitoring state determination means for determining, on the basis of the signal from the platform signal collection unit, the operation state of the device relating to operation and non-operation, and determining whether the device is normal; a monitoring state history storage means for storing the determination result of the monitoring state determination means as a monitoring state history; and a notification means for performing notification when it is determined, on the basis of the monitoring state history, that the device has changed to the prescribed monitoring state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an equipment operation management system for monitoring and managing the operating status of equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The efficient use of various devices is required, and various proposals have been put forward regarding systems for monitoring operational status.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that acquires operational information from multiple test devices and detects the operating rate of the test devices. In this system, a more appropriate operating rate is obtained by using the operational state of specific machinery within the equipment, such as the rotational speed of the electric motor, as conditions.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-200051 Summary of the Invention In the context of equipment operation, there are situations where only monitoring signals is sufficient, as well as situations where operators must go to the site to verify the status. In such cases, a system that can appropriately notify the operators is desirable.

[0005] The equipment operation management system involved in this invention includes: a signal tower illumination detection unit, which detects the illumination status of the signal tower, wherein the signal tower outputs a signal indicating at least whether the equipment is running or not; a door opening / closing detection unit, which detects the opening and closing of the equipment's doors; a PC power supply detection unit, which detects the on / off status of multiple PCs used in the equipment; a platform signal collection unit, which collects signals from the signal tower illumination detection unit, the door opening / closing detection unit, and the PC power supply detection unit; a monitoring status determination mechanism, which determines the equipment's operating status (running or not running) based on the signals from the platform signal collection unit, and determines whether the equipment is normal; a monitoring status history storage mechanism, which stores the determination results of the monitoring status determination mechanism as monitoring status history records; and a notification mechanism, which notifies the system when the monitoring status history records indicate that the equipment has changed to a specified monitoring status.

[0006] The notification agency can issue a notification when it determines that the equipment has ceased operation or is malfunctioning.

[0007] The signal tower's illumination detection signal is divided into three states: stopped, running, and at rest. In the stopped state, there is a distinction between abnormal stop and operation preparing to stop. It can be determined that an abnormal stop occurs when the signal changes from running to stopped, and that operation preparing to stop occurs when the signal changes from at rest to stopped.

[0008] Invention Effects According to the equipment operation management system of the present invention, the status can be determined based on changes in the monitored status, thus enabling appropriate equipment condition assessment. Furthermore, under specified conditions, notification can be sent to operators or other personnel via a notification mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the equipment operation management system 100 involved in the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an example of a platform signal aggregation unit consisting of a sub-platform signal transmitting unit and a main platform signal aggregation unit.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the equipment operation management system involved in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and configurations selectively combined from multiple examples are also included in the present invention.

[0013] "System Composition" Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the equipment operation management system 100 according to the present invention. In this example, the equipment is automotive development equipment.

[0014] A signal tower is installed on the equipment. The signal tower uses lights to indicate the operating status of the equipment (running or not running). When the power is off and the equipment is at rest, the light is "off". When the equipment malfunctions or is ready (ready state at the start of operation) / change (ready state such as object model change), the light is "red". During normal operation, the light is "orange".

[0015] The signal tower illumination detection unit detects the illumination status of signal towers. The door opening / closing detection unit 12 detects the opening / closing status of doors such as equipment entrances and exits. It can detect the movement of goods and the entry / exit of personnel through door opening and closing. The PC power supply detection unit 14 detects whether the power supplies of multiple PCs used in the equipment are on or off.

[0016] The detection signals from the signal tower illumination detection unit 10, the door opening / closing detection unit 12, and the PC power supply detection unit 14 are supplied to the platform signal collection unit 16. The platform signal collection unit 16 is connected to a LAN 18, enabling it to connect to other PCs and external communication networks, such as the Internet. Therefore, various input detection signals can be temporarily stored and transmitted at predetermined time intervals in an appropriate format.

[0017] A consolidation PC 20 is connected to the platform signal aggregation unit 16. The platform signal aggregation unit 16 can be connected to the consolidation PC 20 via LAN 18 or via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0018] The PC 20 includes an operating status determination table 22 and an operating status history table 24. The operating status determination table 22 determines and stores the status based on input signals indicating whether the device is operating; in this example, these are signals from the signal tower illumination detection unit 10, the door opening / closing detection unit 12, and the PC power detection unit 14. Therefore, the operating status determination table 22 represents the real-time operating status of the device. The operating status history table 24 is connected to the operating status determination table 22. The operating status history table 24 stores data supplied from the operating status determination table 22 in a time-series format. Specifically, multiple historical records with different time intervals are stored as tables. For example, multiple historical record tables are prepared, such as data for one hour per minute, data for one month per day, and data for five years per month. Various historical record tables capable of outputting required inputs can also be used. Alternatively, detection units can be installed on various devices within the device, and the operating status and historical records of these devices can be stored in the operating status determination table 22 and the operating status history table 24.

[0019] The real-time monitoring status determination table 26 stores signals from the signal tower illumination detection unit 10, the door opening / closing detection unit 12, and the PC power supply detection unit 14 in real time, and determines the equipment status by monitoring the time changes of the signals. Furthermore, the determination results are stored sequentially in the monitoring status history record table 28. Based on the equipment's determination results and its history, notifications are sent to operators via the notification unit 30 when the test ends or an equipment malfunction is detected. The summary PC 20 is typically installed on the monitoring equipment, and notifications of the test's end or equipment malfunction are sent to operators via a display or speaker. Alternatively, the notification unit 30 can be installed on the equipment for on-device notification. Additionally, the contents of the various tables within the summary PC 20 are displayed at all times, allowing operators to see their information.

[0020] In such a system, the operating status is monitored by monitoring equipment under normal circumstances, and operators can rush to the site when needed, thus improving the efficiency of the operation.

[0021] exist Figure 2In this configuration, the platform signal aggregation unit 16 comprises sub-platform signal transmitting units 16-1 and main platform signal aggregation units 16-2. The sub-platform signal transmitting units 16-1 are respectively located at positions corresponding to the devices, and collect and output signals from the corresponding devices. The main platform signal aggregation unit 16-2 collects signals transmitted from multiple sub-platform signal transmitting units 16-1 and supplies them to the aggregation PC 20. The aggregation PC 20 can centrally process and monitor the operating status and monitoring status of multiple devices.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the equipment operation management system involved in this embodiment.

[0023] The device sends an individual ID and an operation signal (in the illustrated example, signals from the signal tower illumination detection unit 10, door opening / closing detection unit 12, and PC power detection unit 14) as its device ID (S11). The transmitted signal is supplied to the aggregation PC 20 via the platform signal collection unit 16.

[0024] In the summary PC20, the object device is first obtained from the individual number, and the device is identified (S12). The latest operating signal is obtained (S13), and the previous operating signal is further obtained (S14). The latest and previous operating signals are used to generate a transition signal (S15).

[0025] Determine whether the operating status can be determined by the latest operating signal (S16). If the determination in S16 is "yes", update the operating rate in the operating status determination table 22 (S17). If the determination in S16 is "no", set the operating status to uncertain and update the operating rate (S18).

[0026] With the operating status determination table 22 updated in this way, it is determined whether the operating signal one month ago is different from the latest operating signal (S19). If the determination in S19 is "no", the status has not changed, so the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in S19 is "yes", it is determined whether the real-time monitoring status can be determined by the transition signal (S20).

[0027] If the determination in S20 is "yes", update the monitoring status in the real-time monitoring status determination table 26 (S21). If the determination in S20 is "no", update the monitoring status to "uncertain" (S22).

[0028] Furthermore, if the monitoring status obtained in S21 is a specified status, such as the equipment having stopped operating or an equipment malfunction, the monitoring status is notified to the operator through the notification unit 30. This notification enables the operator to take necessary measures, such as going to the site.

[0029] Thus, processing is performed when signals are acquired from the signal tower lighting detection unit 10, the door opening / closing detection unit 12, and the PC power supply detection unit 14, and this processing is performed each time a signal is acquired.

[0030] This example focuses on automotive development equipment, but can be extended to many other types of equipment. In particular, it not only accumulates operational performance data but also records and processes real-time equipment monitoring status, allowing operators to quickly verify progress on-site. This eliminates the need for on-site patrols to confirm progress, thus reducing working hours.

[0031] Furthermore, it can automatically summarize various data such as operating status, without differences among operators, and without the need for manual operation, thereby reducing working hours.

[0032] By using the time changes of equipment signals and combining them with the equipment's usage methods, the operating status and monitoring status can be determined, enabling accurate detection of equipment operating conditions. For example, when a signal tower is illuminated in "red," two states are defined: equipment malfunction (abnormal stop) or preparation / changeover (operational preparation to stop: emergency stop button pressed). If "orange" is defined as "operating," the red illumination cannot accurately determine the status. In this embodiment, by defining the time changes of signals—orange (operating) → red for equipment malfunction (abnormal stop) and off (powered on) → red for preparation / changeover (operational preparation to stop)—the correct equipment status can be determined.

[0033] Symbol Explanation 10-Signal Tower Illumination Detection Department, 12-Door Opening / Closing Detection Department, 14-PC Power Supply Detection Department, 16-Platform Signal Gathering Department, 16-1-Sub-Platform Signal Transmission Department, 16-2-Main Platform Signal Gathering Department, 22-Operating Status Judgment Table, 24-Operating Status Historical Record Table, 26-Real-time Monitoring Status Judgment Table, 28-Monitoring Status Historical Record Table, 30-Notification Department, 100-Equipment Operation Management System, 20-Summary PC.

Claims

1. An equipment operation management system for managing the operation of equipment, characterized in that it comprises: The signal tower illumination detection unit detects the illumination status of the signal tower, and the signal tower outputs a signal that indicates at least whether the equipment is running or not. The door opening and closing detection department is responsible for detecting the opening and closing of doors using its equipment. The PC power supply testing section detects the on / off status of multiple PCs used in its testing equipment. The platform signal collection unit collects signals from the signal tower lighting detection unit, the door opening and closing detection unit, and the PC power supply detection unit. The monitoring status determination mechanism determines the operating status of the equipment (whether it is running or not) based on signals from the platform signal collection unit, and determines whether the equipment is normal. The monitoring status history storage mechanism stores the judgment results of the monitoring status determination mechanism as the monitoring status history. and The notification agency will issue a notification when it determines, based on the historical monitoring status, that the device has changed to a specified monitoring status.

2. The equipment operation management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The notification agency will issue a notification when it determines that the equipment has ceased operation or is malfunctioning.

3. The equipment operation management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The signal tower's illumination detection signal is divided into three states: stopped, running, and at rest. In the stopped state, there is a distinction between abnormal stop and operation preparing to stop. When it changes from running to stopped, it is determined to be an abnormal stop, and when it changes from at rest to stopped, it is determined to be operation preparing to stop.

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