System for industrial assembly line

Abstract

The utility model provides a system for an industrial assembly line. The system includes a plurality of work area computing devices, at least one wearable device, a location determination device, and a communication link establishment device, where each work area computing device is associated with a fixed or moving work area; at least one wearable device adapted to be worn by an operator; the position determining device is configured to determine the position of the wearable device relative to the working area; the communication link establishment device is configured to establish a data communication link between the wearable device and a work area computing device associated with a work area closest to the wearable device based on the determined location of the wearable device. An advantage of the system is that the need for a central computing device that communicates data to / from the wearable device is reduced, thereby enabling reduced communication infrastructure complexity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of systems for industrial assembly lines. In particular, the present invention relates to such systems, which include a wearable device to be worn by an operator. Background Art

[0002] In industrial assembly systems, operators sometimes use wearable devices, for example to receive work instructions and to send confirmation that a specific work task has been performed. Such a wearable device may be worn on the operator's arm as a watch or clipped to the operator's clothing, for example. It is important that the data communicated between the wearable device and the manufacturing management system is associated with the correct work area where the operator is currently performing his / her work task. To automate this, a complex and expensive communication infrastructure may be required. Utility Model Content

[0003] It would be advantageous to achieve a system that overcomes or at least mitigates the above disadvantages. In particular, it would be desirable to achieve a system for an assembly line that facilitates associating data from a wearable device with the correct work area, which system is less complex than the prior art.

[0004] In order to better solve one or more of these problems, a system is provided having the features defined in the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0005] Therefore, according to one aspect, a system for an industrial assembly line is provided. The system includes: a plurality of work area computing devices, at least one wearable device, a position determination device, and a communication link establishment device, wherein each work area computing device is associated with a fixed or mobile work area on the industrial assembly line; at least one wearable device is suitable for being worn by an operator working on the industrial assembly line; the position determination device is configured to determine the position of the wearable device relative to the work area; and the communication link establishment device is configured to establish a data communication link between the wearable device and the work area computing device associated with the work area closest to the wearable device based on the determined position of the wearable device.

[0006] Since the system automatically establishes a communication link with the work area computing device (associated with the closest work area), it is convenient to associate the data transmitted and received by the wearable device with the correct work area (i.e., the work area where the operator is currently working). Therefore, the system will automatically identify the work area closest to the wearable device and establish a communication link therebetween. In particular, the advantage of the present system is that a communication link is established between the wearable device and the work area computing device of the work area to which it is closest, which reduces the need for a central computing device to transmit data to / from the wearable device, thereby enabling a reduction in the complexity of the communication infrastructure.

[0007] In this specification, the term "work area" may include a workstation, which may be an area in a factory where a particular portion of object assembly is performed. The term may also include the object itself that is being / will be processed by an operator. The term may also include a bracket arranged to hold objects to be processed on an assembly line, such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV). Thus, a work area computing device may be a computing device associated with any of a workstation, the object itself, or a bracket holding the object.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the data sent in the data communication link is related to the working area closest to the wearable device. For example, the data sent in the data communication link may include work instructions (also referred to as operator instructions) for the operator to perform in the specific working area, and / or input from the operator via the wearable device, such as confirmation that the work task has been performed in the specific working area. The work task may be, for example, a manual assembly process or a visual inspection, such as an inspection to ensure that certain parts are in the correct position.

[0009] According to an embodiment, a data communication link can be established directly between the wearable device and the work area computing device, or between the wearable device and the work area computing device via a handheld device operable by an operator. Thus, communication to and from the wearable device is optionally performed via a device close to the operator. The handheld device operable by the operator can be, for example, a tool (e.g., a power tool) and / or a barcode scanner.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the determination of the position is based on radio signals between the wearable device and a plurality of anchors (alternatively, which may be referred to as beacons), each anchor being associated with one of a plurality of operating areas. For example, the time of flight (ToF) of such radio signals may be detected and used to determine the distance between the wearable device and the anchor. For example, the position may be determined, for example, using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the communication link establishing device may be arranged in a wearable device, arranged in a work area computing device and / or arranged in a device operable by an operator.

[0012] It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention relate to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] This and other aspects will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 A system according to one embodiment is shown.

[0015] All the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only parts necessary for elucidating the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted. Throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Will refer to Figure 1 A system 1 according to an embodiment is described. The system 1 is arranged on an industrial assembly line in a factory. On the assembly line, a plurality of work areas 2a, 2b, 2c are arranged. In this example, objects 2a, 2b, 2c to be processed on the assembly line are defined as work areas. Alternatively, workstations along the assembly line (e.g., limited areas to perform specific work tasks) or brackets for placing objects to be processed can be defined as work areas. The work areas 2a, 2b, 2c can be fixed or movable along the assembly line.

[0017] Each work area 2a, 2b, 2c is associated with a work area computing device 3a, 3b, 3c included in the system 1. The work area computing device 3a, 3b, 3c may be a computer configured to control / manage / supervise work tasks to be performed in the work area 2a, 2b, 2c. The work area computing device 3a, 3b, 3c may be arranged in or near the work area 2a, 2b, 2c associated therewith.

[0018] The system 1 may further comprise at least one wearable device 5 worn by an operator 6 working on the assembly line. The wearable device 5 may be used, for example, by the operator 6 to receive instructions for work tasks to be performed at specific work areas 2a, 2b, 2c, for inputting confirmation that a specific work task has been performed, such as visual inspection, partial assembly, etc. The wearable device 5 may be, for example, a watch / bracelet or a unit clipped to the clothing or belt of the operator 6. The wearable device 5 may, for example, comprise one or more buttons and / or a display. The wearable device 5 may comprise a radio module for transmitting and receiving data / radio signals.

[0019] The system 1 may optionally include equipment operated by an operator 6, such as a tool 7 (e.g. a tightening tool) for processing the objects 2a, 2b, 2c. Processing may, for example, include tightening a connection at the objects 2a, 2b, 2c. Another example of an object that may be operated by the operator 6 may be a barcode scanner (not shown) for scanning a barcode / QR code that may be applied to the objects 2a, 2b, 2c or to a bracket that provides identification information about the objects 2a, 2b, 2c to be processed, such as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

[0020] The system 1 may further include a position determination device arranged to determine the position of the wearable device 5 relative to each of the working areas 2a, 2b, 2c (e.g., by determining the distance 8a, 8b, 8c between the wearable device 5 and each of the working areas 2a, 2b, 2c). The position determination device may include any type of conventional positioning device, such as a camera-based system and / or a radio-based system (e.g., UWB, ultra-wideband radio). For example, the system 1 may include a plurality of anchors 11a, 11b, 11c (also referred to as beacons or radio tags), each of which is arranged on or near one of the working areas 2a, 2b, 2c. Each anchor 11a, 11b, 11c may include a sensor adapted to detect a radio signal transmitted from the wearable device 5 and to measure the distance 8a, 8b, 8c between the anchor 11a, 11b, 11c and the wearable device 5 based on the detected radio signal. For example, the sensor may be a time-of-flight or time-difference-of-arrival sensor configured to measure the time-of-flight or time-difference-of-arrival of a radio signal from the wearable device 5.

[0021] The system 1 may further comprise a communication link establishing device 4a, 4b, 4c arranged to establish a data communication link 10 between the wearable device 5 and a work area computing device 3b associated with a work area 2b closest to the wearable device 5 based on the determined position of the wearable device 5.

[0022] The data communication link 10 can be used to send information, such as instructions, to the operator 6, which is related to the work area 2b where the operator 6 is currently located and is about to perform a work task. The data communication link 10 can also be used to send information from the operator 6 to the work area computing device 3b, such as a confirmation that a certain work task has been performed.

[0023] The communication link establishment devices 4a, 4b, 4c may be distributed, for example, in the work area computing devices 3a, 3b, 3c. Alternatively (or as a supplement), the communication link establishment device may be included in the wearable remote control device 5 and / or in a device 7 (e.g., a tool) operable by the operator 5 and located near the operator 5. The data communication link 10 may be incorporated, for example, in UWB communication or implemented by WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other radio-based communication technology.

[0024] During operation of the system 1, the position determination device can determine the position of the wearable device 5 relative to the working areas 2a, 2b, 2c, for example, by detecting the radio signal from the wearable device 5 through the anchors 11a, 11b, 11c and analyzing the flight time of the radio signal, thereby deriving the distance 8a, 8b, 8c between the wearable device 5 and the anchors 11a, 11b, 11c. It should be understood that if there are many working areas scattered over a large area in the factory, the position determination device can only determine the distance between the wearable device 5 and a set of working areas 2a, 2b, 2c within the radio coverage range of the wearable device 5.

[0025] Then, a working area 2b closest to the wearable device 5 can be determined (e.g., by the working area calculation device 3a, 3b, 3c and / or by the wearable device 5). The communication link establishment device 4b can then establish a communication link 10 of the working area calculation device 3b associated with the working area 2b. The wearable device 5 can then communicate data with the correct working area calculation device 3b directly or via a device 7 operable by the operator 6.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is by no means limited to the above described embodiments. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0027] Furthermore, variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention after studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A system (1) for an industrial assembly line, characterized in that The system comprises: A plurality of work area computing devices (3a, 3b, 3c), each work area computing device being associated with a fixed or mobile work area (2a, 2b, 2c) on an industrial assembly line; at least one wearable device (5) adapted to be worn by an operator (6) working on an industrial assembly line; a position determination device configured to determine the position of the wearable device (5) relative to the working area (2a, 2b, 2c); and A communication link establishing device (4a, 4b, 4c) is configured to establish a data communication link (10) between the wearable device and a work area computing device (3b) associated with a work area (2b) closest to the wearable device (5) based on the determined position of the wearable device (5).

2. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that The data transmitted in the data communication link (10) is related to the working area (2b) closest to the wearable device (5).

3. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to claim 2, characterized in that The data transmitted in the data communication link (10) includes at least one of the following: - work instructions for operators (6), - Input from the operator via a wearable device (5).

4. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to claim 3, characterized in that The input from the operator via the wearable device (5) is a confirmation that the work task has been performed.

5. System (1) for an industrial assembly line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A data communication link (10) is established between the wearable device (5) and the work area computing device (3b) directly, or via a handheld device (7) operable by an operator (6).

6. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to claim 5, characterized in that The handheld device operable by an operator is a tool.

7. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to claim 6, characterized in that The tool is a barcode scanner.

8. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The system further comprises a plurality of anchors (11a, 11b, 11c), each anchor being associated with one of a plurality of working areas (2a, 2b, 2c), and the position determination device determines the position of the wearable device (5) relative to the working area (2a, 2b, 2c) based on radio signals between the wearable device (5) and the plurality of anchors (11a, 11b, 11c).

9. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each of the working areas includes at least one of the following: -workstation; - Objects to be processed on the assembly line; - A rack arranged to house the objects to be processed on the assembly line.

10. The system (1) for an industrial assembly line according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The communication link establishing device (4a, 4b, 4c) is arranged in a wearable device, in a work area computing device (3a, 3b, 3c) and / or in a handheld device (7) operable by an operator (6).

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