Automatic storage device, automatic storage system, automatic storage process and production system

Abstract

The invention comprises a base body section in which several receiving slots, into which component receiving bodies in which components are received, can be inserted and removed, and a first opening section into which a rack can be transported and out again, a first rack holding unit that holds a rack transported into the interior of the base body section through the first opening section in a first transfer position, a storage unit in which several of the component receiving bodies can be stored inside the base body section, a transfer unit that transfers the component receiving bodies between the rack in the first transfer position and the storage unit, and a storage control unit that controls the transfer unit, wherein the storage control unit includes a delivery control unit that controls the transfer unit in such a way thatthat it transfers several component receiving bodies, for which a delivery request exists, into the receiving slots.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic storage device in which component receiving bodies (rolls, trays or the like) are stored, in which components are received, an automatic storage system that stores the component receiving bodies using the automatic storage device, and an automatic storage method and a production system that produces printed circuit boards populated with components using the component receiving bodies stored by the automatic storage device. General state of the art

[0002] To feed components to a component placement machine that populates printed circuit boards (PCBs) with electronic components (hereinafter referred to as "components"), component holders such as reels or trays are used. For example, a carrier tape containing components is wound around the reel. The reel is attached to the component feeder, and the feeder pulls the carrier tape off the reel in this state. A placement head of the component placement machine then picks up the components from the carrier tape and places them onto the PCB. This is how a populated PCB is manufactured. The use of trays as component holders is essentially the same.

[0003] A worker performs replenishment work, replenishing components according to their consumption during the assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBs). This ensures that the component feeder does not interrupt the PCB assembly process and thus prevents any interruptions in production. For several years now, an automated storage device, sometimes referred to as a "parts tower," has been used to efficiently perform component replenishment (see, for example, patent document 1). State-of-the-art documents, patent documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP 2018-164017 A Brief description of the invention Task of the invention

[0005] When a component replenishment system equipped with the automatic storage device described in patent document 1 has only a small number of components remaining on the component placement device, the automatic storage device is instructed to deliver a component receptacle containing the components in question. Upon receiving the delivery instruction, the automatic storage device begins delivering the component receptacle. The automatic storage device transports the component receptacle to a dispensing position, and the operator receives it. A problem arises with the efficiency of the delivery process. With the automatic storage device, the operator must remove the component receptacles individually.Especially when the number of component receptacles to be refilled increases, the delivery process becomes more complicated. This represents a significant factor in reduced delivery efficiency.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problem, and its objective is to provide an automatic storage device with which several component receiving bodies can be efficiently delivered, as well as an automatic storage system, an automatic storage method and a production system that use this automatic storage device. Means of solving the task

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is an automatic storage device characterized by a base body section in which several receiving slots, into which component receiving bodies containing components can be inserted and removed, and a first opening section into which a rack can be transported and out again, a first rack holding unit that holds a rack transported into the interior of the base body section through the first opening section in a first transfer position, a storage unit in which several of the component receiving bodies can be stored inside the base body section, a transfer unit that transfers the component receiving bodies between the rack in the first transfer position and the storage unit, and a storage control unit that controls the transfer unit.wherein the storage control unit has a delivery control unit which controls the transfer unit in such a way that it transfers several component receiving bodies, for which a delivery request exists, into the receiving slots.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized by the automatic storage device, an information management unit that manages storage information for each component receiving body stored in the storage unit, in which the type of component receiving body and the storage position of the storage unit are linked, and a delivery information creation unit that creates delivery information for each component receiving body for which a delivery request exists, which includes a delivery sequence of the component receiving bodies by the transfer unit, such that the component receiving body is transferred into a receiving slot based on the storage information corresponding to the component receiving body, wherein the storage control unit controls the transfer unit in such a way thatthat it transfers the component receiving bodies from the storage unit to the rack in accordance with the delivery information generated by the delivery information creation unit.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is an automatic storage method which, using the automatic storage device described above, delivers several component receiving bodies and is characterized by a step of holding an empty rack in which no component receiving bodies are received in the several receiving slots, in the first transfer position, a step of transferring the respective component receiving bodies for which a delivery request exists into the receiving slots of the rack held in the first transfer position, and a step of releasing the rack from being held and reporting that a delivery preparation has been completed after it has been determined that the several component receiving bodies for which a delivery request exists have been received in the rack.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a production system that produces printed circuit boards populated with components by means of a component assembly device and is characterized by the above-mentioned automatic storage device, a transport device that transports the rack between the automatic storage device and the component assembly device, and a transport control unit that controls the transport device such that, after several component holding bodies have been picked up in the automatic storage device, the rack transported to a first transfer position is transported to the component assembly device, wherein the automatic storage device further comprises a first rack transport unit that transports the rack between a first transfer position, which is opposite the first transfer position with a first opening section in between, and the first transfer position.wherein a first frame fixing mechanism fixes the frame, which was transported to the first transfer position by means of the first frame transport unit, to the first frame transport unit.

[0011] In the present invention with this embodiment, the multiple component holding bodies are thus transferred into the receiving slots of the rack. The rack, in a state of receiving the multiple component holding bodies, is then transported out of the automatic storage device through the first opening section.

[0012] The first rack holding unit can also be designed to include a first rack fixing mechanism that secures the rack in the first transfer position. By fixing the rack using this first rack fixing mechanism, the component holding bodies can be moved into the receiving slots in a stable manner.

[0013] While the empty rack can be transported directly through the first opening section to the first transfer position, or the rack containing multiple component holders can be transported directly from the first transfer position through the first opening section, the following configuration is desirable for the efficiency of the operating personnel. It is therefore desirable to have a first rack transport unit that moves the rack between the first transfer position, which is opposite the first transfer position with an opening section in between, and the first transfer position.Work efficiency can be increased if the first rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack, which has been transported to the first transfer position by means of the first rack transport unit, to the first rack transport unit and, after picking up the several component holding bodies for which a delivery request exists, releases the fixing of the rack to the first rack transport unit and enables the transport of the rack to the first transfer position by means of the first rack transport unit.

[0014] In addition to the first opening section, a second opening section can also be provided to transport the rack into and out of the base body section. This allows for an embodiment in which a second rack holding unit is also provided. This unit holds a rack, which has been transported into the interior of the base body section through a second opening section (positioned differently from the first opening section), in a second transfer position that differs from the first. The transfer unit then transfers the component holding bodies between the rack in the second transfer position and the storage unit. In this case, the component holding bodies can be delivered using two racks, thus increasing delivery efficiency.

[0015] The second rack holding unit can also be designed to have a second rack fixing mechanism that secures the rack in the second transfer position. By fixing the rack using this second rack fixing mechanism, the transfer of the component holding bodies into the receiving slots can be carried out in a stable manner.

[0016] It is also desirable to have a second rack transport unit at the second rack holding unit, which transports the rack between the second transfer position (opposite the second transfer position with the second opening section in between) and the second transfer position. Work efficiency can be increased if the second rack fixing mechanism, after the rack has been transported to the second transfer position by the second rack transport unit, fixes the rack to the second rack transport unit and, after picking up the several component holding bodies for which a delivery request exists, releases the fixation of the rack to the second rack transport unit, thus enabling the rack to be transported to the second transfer position by the second rack transport unit.

[0017] The above described the delivery of component receiving bodies, but the storage of component receiving bodies can also be carried out in the same way. One possible configuration is in which the storage control unit has a storage control unit that controls the transfer unit in such a way that, if there is a request to store several component receiving bodies in the receiving slots in the storage unit, the multiple component receiving bodies are transferred to the storage unit.

[0018] The automated storage system can also be configured in which the information management unit additionally manages a production plan for manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs) by assembling the PCBs with components using component mounting devices. A delivery information generation unit determines the component holders to be delivered based on the production plan received from the information management unit. In this way, the component holders required for the production of the PCBs can be delivered at the appropriate time.

[0019] The information management unit manages the production status of the component-populated printed circuit boards via the component assembly device; the delivery information creation unit determines a change in the delivery sequence or a delivery interruption based on the production status received from the information management unit; and the storage control unit can control the transfer unit so that, in the event that a change in the delivery sequence is received from the delivery information creation unit, the transfer unit transfers the component holding bodies in the changed delivery sequence from the storage unit to the rack, and in the event that a delivery interruption is received from the delivery information creation unit, the transfer unit interrupts the transfer of the component holding bodies from the storage unit to the rack.This design also allows for a flexible response to changes in the progress of production.

[0020] Furthermore, a reporting unit may be present that reports the delivery status of the component holders to the rack. The storage control unit can be configured to control the reporting unit in such a way that, if the delivery sequence changes, the occurrence of the delivery sequence change is reported, and if the transfer of the component holders is interrupted, the occurrence of the transfer interruption is reported. The storage control unit can also be configured to control the reporting unit in such a way that, once the transfer of the component holders according to the delivery sequence has been completed, the completion of the preparation for transporting the rack is reported. In this way, the reporting unit serves as a human-machine interface and can transmit the various pieces of information precisely and rapidly.

[0021] The rack contains multiple receiving slots, but their structures are not necessarily identical. Therefore, an information acquisition unit can be provided that obtains rack structure information about the structure of the multiple receiving slots in the rack. The delivery information generation unit can be configured to generate, for each component receiving body to be delivered, information about the receiving slot among the multiple receiving slots to which the component receiving body is to be transferred, based on the type of receiving body and the rack structure information, along with the delivery sequence. This allows for optimization of the delivery sequence and efficient delivery processing.

[0022] Furthermore, a rack feeding unit can be provided, which selectively feeds one rack from several empty racks with different receiving slot structures to a rack feeding position where transfer to a transport device is possible, and a rack selection unit that selects an empty rack having a receiving slot structure whose receiving capacity for component receiving bodies is greatest when used to deliver component receiving bodies from the automatic storage device to the component assembly device, wherein the rack feeding unit feeds the rack determined by a rack determination unit to the rack feeding position and the transport control unit is designed such that it controls the transport device so that the rack is transported from the rack feeding unit to the automatic storage device.In this way, even with regard to empty racks, those suitable for delivery are selectively used, so that effective delivery processing can be carried out. Effect of the invention

[0023] As described above, according to the present invention it is possible to transport several component receiving bodies together in the state of receiving in a rack, thereby enabling efficient delivery of the several component receiving bodies. Brief description of the characters

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of the configuration of a production system using a first embodiment of an automatic storage device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 a block diagram showing the basic electrical configuration of the production system Fig. 1 illustrates; Fig. 3A a perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the first embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention; Fig. 3B a view illustrating an example of a rack used for storing and delivering rolls into and out of the automatic storage device; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the automatic storage device Fig. 3A; Fig. 5 a flowchart illustrating a roll delivery processing operation, which is a first embodiment of an automatic storage method according to the present invention; Fig. 6 a view that schematically illustrates a roll delivery processing operation; Fig. 7. An example of a delivery sequence list; Fig. 8 a view illustrating another example of the rack used for storing and delivering rolls into and out of the automatic storage device; Fig. 9 a view illustrating an example of optimization processing of the delivery sequence; Fig. 10 a perspective view illustrating the construction of a second embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention; Fig. 11 a view that schematically illustrates the delivery process at the automatic storage device Fig. 10 illustrated; Fig. 12 a view which schematically illustrates an example of storage processing on the production system according to the present invention; and Fig. 13 a view which schematically illustrates an example of delivery processing at the production system according to the present invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic view of the configuration of a production system that uses a first embodiment of an automatic storage device according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram that shows the basic electrical configuration of the production system. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates this. Production system 100 manages component replenishment on a production line that produces populated printed circuit boards (PCBs) by placing components on the boards. In this embodiment, the PCBs are transported from a current-up side (left side) to a current-down side (right side) according to the PCB production steps, and during this process, various operations are performed on them by different devices that comprise production line L1 (printing device PR, component mounting devices MC1-MC3, and testing device IN). Specifically, the printing device PR is a screen printer that applies solder paste to the component placement area of ​​the PCBs.The component mounting devices MC1-MC3 populate the printed circuit boards (PCBs) with small components such as LSIs, integrated circuits, transistors, capacitors, and resistors. In the present embodiment, three component mounting devices MC1-MC3 are arranged in this sequence in the transport direction of the PCBs. The component mounting devices MC1-MC3 pick up components held by carrier strips wound around rollers and place them onto the PCBs. The inspection device IN receives the PCBs from the upstream component mounting device MC3 and performs an inspection of the external appearance of the PCBs using visible light or X-rays.The configuration of production line L1 is not limited to this, and depending on the component types, quantities, or similar factors, more or fewer component assembly fixtures may be present, or component assembly fixtures may be arranged that perform placement with components held in trays. The number of production lines is also not limited to one, and several may be provided depending on the design of the printed circuit board production facility.

[0026] During the production of the populated printed circuit boards (PCBs), the remaining quantity of components held in a component feeder (not shown) of the component assembly devices MC1-MC3 decreases. If the component feeder stops supplying components, production of the populated PCBs must be stopped, resulting in a reduction in utilization. Depending on the component consumption during PCB production, an operator (OP) must perform component replenishment by attaching a new reel to the component feeder to refill the components. To efficiently perform component replenishment, the present embodiment, as described in Fig. Figure 1 shows an automatic storage device 20 and a component storage unit (not shown) arranged in a storage area remote from the production line L1. The automatic storage device 20, as an example of the "component receiving body" of the present invention, stores several reels onto which a carrier tape is wound, in which components are held. The automatic storage device 20 dispenses several reels at once upon a delivery request. The configuration and operation of the automatic storage device 20 are described in detail later. In the present embodiment, the number of automatic storage devices 20 installed is one, but two or more are also possible.

[0027] For the overall control of the devices that make up production line L1 (printing device PR, component assembly devices MC1-MC3 and testing device IN) and the automatic storage device 200, a production management device 300 is provided in an administrative area of ​​production system 100. The production management device 300 is connected via a communication network NW to the devices of production line L1, the automatic storage device 200 and a portable terminal 400 of the worker OP.

[0028] The production management device 300 has a system management control unit 310, which is configured with a known CPU (central processing unit) that performs logical calculations, a ROM (read-only memory) that stores initialization settings and the like, a RAM (random access memory) that temporarily stores various data during device operation, and the like. The system management control unit 310 operates according to a pre-set program and serves as an information management unit 311, a delivery information creation unit 312, and a message creation unit 313. The information management unit 311 manages various pieces of information. Representative information includes: - Storage information that links the type of rolls stored in the automatic storage device 200 and the storage position in the automatic storage device 200 (storage compartment information), - a production plan for producing the component-populated printed circuit boards by populating the printed circuit boards with components using the component assembly devices MC1-MC3, and - A production situation of printed circuit boards populated with components using the MC1-MC3 component assembly devices. The device for creating the production programs can also be provided separately from the production management device 300. In response to a decrease in the remaining quantity of components at the MC1-MC3 component assembly devices, the delivery information generation unit 312 generates delivery information for reels to be delivered by the automatic storage device 200. The message generation unit 313 generates various messages related to reel delivery.

[0029] The production management device 300 comprises, in addition to the system management control unit 310, an input unit 320, a display unit 330, and a communication unit 340. The input unit 320 accepts data inputs, instructions, and the like, among other things, from the operator. The display unit 330 shows various types of information. In this embodiment, the input unit 320 and the display unit 330 thus serve as a human-machine interface; however, a touch panel can also be used as the input unit 320 and the display unit 330. The communication unit 340 receives various pieces of information from other devices and transmits instructions, information, and the like generated by the sections of the production management device 300 to the other devices.

[0030] The portable terminal 400 is a terminal device that the worker (OP) carries with them at all times during work and comprises a terminal control unit 410, a touch panel 420, a code reader 430, and a communication unit 440. The communication unit 440 is capable of wireless communication with other devices via the communication network (NW). The terminal control unit 410 consists of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and displays various information received from other devices on the touch panel 420. The touch panel 420 reads touch input information from the worker (OP) and transmits it to the terminal control unit 410. The code reader 430 scans an identification code, such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, attached to the rollers and a frame described below and transmits the scan information to the terminal control unit 410.The terminal control unit 410, which has received the touch input information and the scanning information, converts the various instructions and information and sends them wirelessly to other devices.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3A is a perspective view illustrating the overall structure of the first embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 3B is a view illustrating an example of a rack used for storing and shipping rolls into and out of the automatic storage device. Fig. Figure 4 is a sectional view of the automatic storage device made of Fig. 3A. For the sake of simplicity, these figures show an XYZ coordinate system consisting of an X-direction, a Y-direction, and a Z-direction, all of which are orthogonal to each other. In this coordinate system, the X-direction is the direction of transport of the rack, the Y-direction is the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X-direction, and the Z-direction is the vertical direction.

[0032] The automatic storage device 200 stores rolls RL, which are an example of the component receiving body of the present invention, inside a base body section 210 and selectively delivers the rolls RL that correspond to a delivery request (including a delivery sequence list) from the production management device 300. An opening section 211 is provided at the front of the base body section 210 of the automatic storage device 200, and a front door 212 is provided for opening and closing the opening section 211. The opening section 211 has an opening size corresponding to that specified in Fig. The frame 10 shown in Figure 3 corresponds to the frame 10. The frame 10 has several receiving slots 12. The receiving slots 12 are designed so that a roller RL can be removed from and inserted into them. In the present embodiment, the front door 212 is designed to be opened and closed by manual operation of the worker OP. However, an embodiment is also possible in which a flap drive unit is connected to the front door 212 and the worker OP opens and closes the front door 212 by pressing a button. In the present embodiment, the front door 212 is designed as a so-called unidirectional swing door, but it can also be designed as a sliding door. These points also apply to embodiments described later.

[0033] Below the front door 212, a rack holding unit 220 is provided. The rack holding unit 220 has a rack transport unit 221, which is designed to support the rack 10 from below and move it back and forth in the X-direction. The rack transport unit 221 is formed by a conveyor belt or roller track and extends below the opening section 211 in the X-direction. More precisely, and as shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, an end section of the rack transport unit 221 on the (+X) side projects to the outside of the base body section 210, while an end section on the (-X) side projects into the interior of the base body section 210 and extends to a transfer position Pt1. The rack transport unit 221 is equipped with a delivery and output drive unit 222 ( Fig. 2) connected. The delivery and output drive unit 222 drives the rack transport unit 221 in response to a transport command from a storage control unit 230 that controls the automatic storage device 200. For example, if a rack has been placed on the (+X) side of the rack transport unit 221 with the front door 212 open, and then the rack transport unit 221 is actuated, the rack 10 is transported through the opening section 211 into the base body section 210.

[0034] To position the rack 10, transported in this manner, in the transfer position Pt1, a stop element 223 is provided on the (-Y) side of the rack holding unit 220. The rack 10, transported in by the rack transport unit 221, is thus positioned as in Fig. 4 shown by the stop element 223 extending in the Y direction. To hold the frame 10 in the transfer position Pt1, a pair of locking mechanisms 224 is provided on the (+X) side of the frame transport unit 221. Fig. Figure 4 shows only the locking mechanism 224 on the (+Y) side, but a locking mechanism 224 is also provided on the (-Y) side.

[0035] The locking mechanisms 224 exhibit, as in Fig. Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of an operating lever 225 and a locking drive unit 226 that drives the operating lever 225. One end section of the operating lever 225 has a shape that allows it to engage with a projecting point 11 that projects from the side surface of the frame 10 (in the present embodiment, a recess shape). The other end section of the operating lever 225 is rotatably mounted on a frame side surface of the frame transport unit 221. The locking drive unit 226 has an actuator (drive source), such as a pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid, and causes the operating lever 225 to rotate in response to a command from the storage control unit 230. For example, as in Fig. Figure 4 shows the frame 10 being transported to transfer position Pt1. When the operating lever 225 is rotated clockwise by means of the locking drive unit 226, one end section of the operating lever 225, i.e., the end section provided with the recess, rotates towards the frame 10 and engages with the projecting section 11 on the frame 10. This securely holds the frame 10 with the frame holding unit 220 in the transfer position Pt1. If, on the other hand, the frame 10 is delivered from the automatic storage device 200 with several rollers RL contained within it, the holding of the frame 10 is released in a process reversed to the holding during transport. Thus, by means of the locking drive unit 226, the operating lever 225 is rotated in the Fig. When the operating lever 225 is rotated counterclockwise, one end section moves away from the projecting point 11 of the frame 10. This releases the frame 10 from being held in place. The operating lever 225 then retracts downwards relative to the transport path of the frame 10. In this way, the operating lever 225 prevents the frame 10 from being obstructed when the frame 10 is transported in the (+X) direction.

[0036] On the rack holding unit 220, a transmitting sensor 227 is provided on the (-X) side of the rack transport unit 221. This sensor combines a light source and a light sensor to detect the delivery and removal of the rack 10 to and from the transfer position Pt1. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a spotlight 228 is mounted on the (+Y) side. Although in Fig. Figure 4 (not shown) shows that the light sensor is mounted on the frame side of the frame transport unit 221 on the (-Y) side of the light source 228 with the frame 10 positioned between them. The light emitted from the light source 228 in the Y direction is thus blocked by the frame 10, whereupon the positioning of the frame 10 in the transfer position Pt1 is detected and the detection result is sent to the storage control unit 230. In the present embodiment, a transmission sensor 227 is used, but an embodiment is also possible in which detection is carried out by a reflective or a capacitive sensor.

[0037] The rack holding unit 220, designed in this way, is, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the rolls are arranged in an area on the (+X) side inside the base body section 210. In the area on the (-X) side inside the base body section 210, a shelf-like storage unit 240 is arranged. The storage unit 240 has a delivery shelf in which several storage compartments for individually receiving the rolls RL in a horizontal position are arranged in a matrix. By linking information specifying the storage shelf in which the rolls RL are stored (hereinafter referred to as "storage compartment information") and an identification code attached to the rolls RL (hereinafter referred to as the "roll identification code"), it is therefore possible to store the rolls RL in a desired position or to correctly deliver rolls RL with the desired components from the storage unit 240.

[0038] The rack holding unit 220 and the storage unit 240 are spaced a constant distance apart in the X-direction, and within this distance are arranged two transfer units 250, 250. Each transfer unit 250, 250 has a robot base 251, which is movable in the Y-direction, Z-direction, and an R-direction, and a roll-holding hand 252, which can move from the robot base 251 in the X-direction. The R-direction refers to a direction about a rotational axis extending in the Z-direction. When, in response to a transfer command from the storage control unit 230, the individual sections of the transfer unit 250 are driven, a desired roll RL is grasped by the roll-holding hand 252 and transferred into a predetermined receiving slot 12 among the several receiving slots 12 provided in the rack 10, according to a delivery sequence list described below.In the present embodiment, two transfer units 250 are provided, but the number of transfer units 250 is not limited to two, but is arbitrary.

[0039] The automatic storage device 200 is, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows the storage control unit 230 for controlling the rack holding unit 220 and the transfer units 250, with the configuration described above. The storage control unit 230 is equipped, among other things, with a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and operates according to a pre-set program, thus serving as a delivery control unit 231, a storage control unit 232, and a delivery and output control unit 233. The delivery control unit 231 controls the transfer unit 250 such that it transfers several rolls RL, for which a delivery request applies, into a respective receiving slot 12. The storage control unit 232 controls the operation of the transfer unit 250 when it stores the rolls RL in an empty storage rack.The storage control unit 232 controls the transfer unit 250 such that it transfers several rolls RL, each with a storage request, to the storage rack of the storage unit 240. The delivery and issue control unit 233 controls an inbound operation in which the rack 10 is held at the rack holding unit 220 after delivery to transfer position Pt1, and an issue operation in which the rack 10 is issued from transfer position Pt1 after the rack 10 is released from its position in transfer position Pt1.

[0040] The automatic storage device 200 comprises, in addition to the storage control unit 230, the infeed and outfeed drive unit 222, the locking drive unit 226, an input unit 260, a display unit 270, a code reader unit 280, and a communication unit 290. The input unit 260 accepts data input, instructions, and the like, among other things, from the operator. The display unit 270 shows various types of information. In this embodiment, the input unit 260 and the display unit 270 serve as a human-machine interface; however, a touch panel can also be used as the input unit 260 and the display unit 270. The code reader unit 280 scans an identification code attached to the roller RL or the rack 10 and transmits the scan information to the storage control unit 230.The communication section 290 receives various instructions and information from other devices and sends status information and the like obtained at the automatic storage device 200 to the other devices.

[0041] With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. Section 6 now describes a delivery processing operation at production system 100 with the configuration shown above. Fig. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a roll delivery processing operation, which is a first embodiment of an automatic storage method according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a view that schematically illustrates a role delivery processing operation. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6(a), an empty rack 10 is held in the transfer position Pt1 by the rack holding unit 220 on the automatic storage device 200 by means of the locking mechanisms 224, thus completing the delivery preparation of the rolls RL stored in the automatic storage device 200. An empty rack 10 refers to the state in which no roll RL is received in any of the several receiving slots 12 formed by dividing the interior of the rack 10 with dividers.

[0042] At the production management device 300, the system management control unit 310 operates according to a pre-set program and creates a production plan for producing the component-populated printed circuit boards by placing components on the boards using the component assembly devices MC1-MC3 (step S31). Storage information, which links the type of rolls RL stored in the automatic storage device 200 and the storage position in the automatic storage device 200 (storage compartment information), is also stored in a memory unit (not shown) at the system management control unit 310.Furthermore, the system management control unit 310 issues various instructions to the component assembly devices MC1-MC3 according to the production plan, thereby initiating the production of the component-populated printed circuit boards. It also monitors the production progress based on various pieces of information sent to it by the component assembly devices MC1-MC3. When the remaining quantity of components at the component assembly devices MC1-MC3 decreases, the system management control unit 310 determines that a reel RL, onto which a carrier tape containing the relevant components is wound, is required (YES in step S32). This determination that a reel RL is required is based not only on the production progress but also on an interrupting delivery request from a worker OP.Thus, it can happen that an operator (OP), based on the operating situation of the component assembly devices MC1-MC3 and their experience, decides that the delivery of a roll RL is necessary (YES in step S41). In this case, the operator (OP) instructs the production management device (300) to interrupt delivery by operating the portable terminal device (400) (step S42). In this way, the system management control unit (310), in the present embodiment, creates a delivery sequence list (step S33) based on its own judgment (step S32) or an interrupt delivery instruction (step S42).

[0043] Fig. Figure 7 shows an example of the delivery sequence list. The delivery sequence list shows the relationship between the delivery sequence, the roll identification code, the storage compartment information, and the position of the receiving slots 12 (hereinafter referred to as "slot position information") in a tabular format. The "storage shelf information" in the figure specifies the coordinate position (Y-coordinate, Z-coordinate) of the storage shelves arranged in a matrix in the YZ direction. The "slot position information" specifies the Z-coordinate of the receiving slots 12 arranged one above the other in the Z-direction, where 1 denotes the uppermost receiving slot 12. In this way, in the present embodiment, the slot position information corresponds to an example of the information about the receiving slot to which the component receiving body is to be transferred.

[0044] The system management control unit 310 sends the generated delivery sequence list to the storage control unit 230 of the automatic storage device 200 and repeatedly executes steps S34-S36. That is, the system management control unit 310 checks the production progress of the component-populated circuit boards (step S34) based on the various pieces of information sent sequentially by the different units of the production system 100. As long as no change to the delivery sequence occurs in step S35, it receives the notification of the reels RL in the receiving slots 12 (step S36). Based on this notification, the system management control unit 310 can update the delivery status and send it to the portable terminal 400 of the operator. This displays the delivery status on the touch panel 420 of the portable terminal 400.The OP worker can precisely capture the delivery status in real time. The process then returns to step S34 and repeats the above processing. However, if, during the above processing, the OP worker changes the delivery sequence for a reason such as an interrupting delivery request (YES in step S35), the system management control unit 310 returns to step S33 and recreates the delivery sequence list, taking the change into account.

[0045] During the production of the component-populated printed circuit boards, the system management control unit 310 receives information, as described below, indicating that all reels of RL to be delivered have been picked up from the automatic storage device 200 in rack 10. The system management control unit 310 then sends a transfer completion message to the operator's portable terminal 400 (step S37), stating that the multiple reels of RL to be delivered have been completely transferred to rack 10. The operator's portable terminal 400 then receives the message and displays it on the touch panel 420.

[0046] The storage control unit 230 of the automatic storage device 200, which has received the delivery sequence list from the system management control unit 310, checks the delivery sequence list (step S21). Then, in the order of the delivery sequence, the storage control unit 230 checks the coordinate position (Y-coordinate, Z-coordinate) of the storage racks in which the rolls RL to be delivered are stored, and the Z-coordinate of the receiving slots 12 in which these rolls RL are received (step S22). Subsequently, the storage control unit 230, using the transfer unit 250, performs the transfer of the rolls RL to the rack 10 (step S23). That is, the transfer unit 250 accesses the storage rack identified in step S22 and removes a roll RL using the roll holding hand 252.Then, while being held by the roller holding hand 252, the roller RL is moved by the transfer unit 250 to the vicinity of the receiving slot 12 determined in step S22, whereupon the roller RL is transferred by the roller holding hand 252 to the receiving slot 12.

[0047] After the transfer of a roll of RL is complete, the storage control unit 230 assesses whether the placement of all rolls of RL listed on the delivery sequence list in rack 10 has been completed (step S24). If the assessment in step S24 is "NO", the storage control unit 230 returns to step S21 and repeats the transfer of the next roll of RL.

[0048] If “YES” in step S24, i.e., if, as indicated by the line broken by a dot, Fig. As shown in 6(b), when it is determined that the last role RL listed on the delivery sequence list has been received in rack 10, the storage control unit 230 sends a receipt completion message for all roles RL to be delivered to rack 10 to the system management control unit 310. This causes a transfer completion message to be displayed on the portable terminal 400 of the worker OP via the system management control unit 310 (step S43).

[0049] In parallel, the storage control unit 230 enables the operator OP to transport the rollers RL using the frame 10. More precisely, the storage control unit 230 causes the operating lever 225 to rotate counterclockwise (as viewed) by sending a hold release command to the locking drive unit 226. This releases the frame 10 from being held by the operating lever 225, allowing the frame 10 to move freely in the (+X) direction without obstruction from the operating lever 225.

[0050] When the operator (OP) sees the transfer completion message, they proceed with the empty rack 10 to the automatic storage device 200. When the storage control unit 230 detects that the operator (OP) has opened the front door 212, it issues a dispensing command to the inbound and outbound drive unit 222. The inbound and outbound drive unit 222, which receives this command, performs the following actions as described in Fig. Figure 6(c) shows the rack 10, which contains several rolls RL, being transported from transfer position Pt1 in the (+X) direction and positioned in a location where it can be easily received by the worker OP, i.e., in a handover position Pd1 (step S26). The storage control unit 230 of the production management device 300 can also report that the preparations for carrying away the rack 10 have been completed. When the system management control unit 310 receives this, it sends the completion of the carrying preparation to the portable terminal 400 of the worker OP, thereby displaying the completion of the carrying preparation on the touch panel 420 of the portable terminal 400 and informing the worker OP.

[0051] The worker OP takes the rack 10, in which rolls have been picked up, from the transfer position Pd1 (step S44) and places the empty rack 10 at the transfer position Pd1 (step S45). When the worker OP transmits to the automatic storage device 200 that the putting-away process is complete, the storage control unit 230 of the automatic storage device 200 issues a pick-up command to the infeed and outfeed drive unit 222. The infeed and outfeed drive unit 222, which receives this command, transports the rolls as described in Fig. Figure 6(a) shows the empty rack 10 being moved from the transfer position Pd1 to the transfer position Pt1 and positioned (step S27). The storage control unit 230 controls the locking drive unit 226 such that the empty rack 10 is held against the rack holding unit 220 by means of the locking mechanisms 224. When the delivery preparation is complete, the operator (OP), after closing the front door 212, carries the rack 10, which contains reels, to the component assembly fixtures MC1-MC3, where reels are to be replenished.

[0052] As described above, according to the first embodiment, after transferring the multiple rolls RL, for which a delivery request has been made, to the receiving slots 12 of the rack 10, the rack 10 with the rolls RL held therein can be carried out of the automatic storage device 200 through the opening section 211. By carrying out the rack 10, the operator (OP) can therefore deliver multiple rolls RL at once from the automatic storage device 200. Consequently, the multiple rolls RL can be delivered efficiently.

[0053] Since the transfer unit 250 transfers the rollers RL to the receiving slots 12, while the locking mechanism 224 holds the frame 10, the transfer operations of the rollers RL can be carried out stably.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, the rack transport unit 221 is not a mandatory design element. This means that the operator (OP) can deliver and dispense the rack 10 through the opening section 211 to and from the transfer position Pt1. However, by providing the rack transport unit 221, the following functionality can be achieved. According to the embodiment described above, the operator (OP) places the empty rack 10 on the (+X) side of the rack transport unit 221, i.e., at the transfer position Pd1, whereupon the rack 10 is automatically transported to the transfer position Pt1 by the rack transport unit 221. When receiving the rack 10, which now contains rollers, the rack 10 is dispensed to the transfer position Pd1 and can be received there.Consequently, the work efficiency for the worker OP is significantly better than if no rack transport unit 221 is provided. It is also possible to configure the system in which, instead of the worker OP, an AGV (automatic guided vehicle), such as an unmanned transport cart or an automated transport robot, transports the rack 10. The AGV corresponds to an example of the "transport device" of the present invention, this point being further defined below with reference to... Fig. 13 is described.

[0055] In the embodiment described above, the delivery of rolls RL from the automatic storage device 200 was described, but an embodiment for storing rolls RL in the automatic storage device 200 is also possible. That is, a rack 10, in which rolls RL to be stored in the automatic storage device 200 are held, is placed in the transfer position Pd1 by the operator OP or the AGV, whereupon the rack transport unit 221 transports the rack 10 to the transfer position Pt1. Then, in a process reversed to the delivery operation, the rolls RL are transferred from the rack 10 into the storage shelves of the storage unit 240.The storage control unit 232 of the storage control unit 230 controls the transfer unit 250 in such a way that it transfers several rolls RL, for which a storage request applies, into the storage racks of the storage unit 240 according to the storage information. Work efficiency can be increased during these storage operations, just as it can during delivery operations. It is also possible to configure the AGV to transport the rack 10 instead of the operator, a point which will be discussed in more detail below. Fig. 12 is described.

[0056] In the first embodiment, if the delivery sequence changes (YES in step S35), the delivery sequence list is regenerated to reflect the change. This allows for a flexible response to changes in the production progress. While the delivery sequence is modified in the first embodiment, an alternative configuration is possible where the transfer of the rolls RL is interrupted. For example, if a particular component is only available in extremely small quantities, the delivery of the roll RL, onto which a carrier tape containing the components is wound, may be given priority. Once this roll RL has been loaded into rack 10, the additional transfer is preferably interrupted, and the output of rack 10 is prioritized.This interruption in deliveries allows for an appropriate response to changes in the progress of production.

[0057] In the first embodiment described above, the opening section 211, the transfer position Pt1, the handover position Pd1, the rack holding unit 220, the rack transport unit 221, and the locking mechanisms 224 each correspond to an example of the “first opening section,” the “first transfer position,” the “first handover position,” the “first rack holding unit,” the “first rack transport unit,” and the “first rack fixing mechanism,” respectively. The touch panel 420 of the portable terminal 400 corresponds to an example of the “message unit” of the present invention, and the message displayed on the touch panel 420 corresponds to an example of the “message” of the present invention.

[0058] For the design of the frame 10, however, one is preferably used that corresponds to the size of the rollers RL, in particular the roller diameter. The roller diameter of the rollers RL currently available on the market is roughly divided into 7 inches (hereinafter referred to as "small roller diameter") and 13-15 inches (hereinafter referred to as "large roller diameter"). Therefore, it is conceivable, for example, as in Fig. Figure 8 shows a rack 10A for small rolls, a rack 10B for large and small rolls, and a rack 10C for large rolls. Depending on the roll diameter of the rolls RL to be delivered, a suitable rack can then be selected from the three types and placed at the transfer position Pd1. This increases the number of rolls RL that can be delivered or stored in a single operation, thus improving the delivery and storage efficiency of the rolls RL.

[0059] Preferably, different receiving slots are used depending on the roll diameter of the rollers RL. In particular, it is not possible for the receiving slots 12 of the rack 10A designed for small rollers to accommodate large rollers. Therefore, the system management control unit 310 is preferably designed such that it obtains rack structure information about the receiving slots 12 when creating the delivery sequence list and optimizes the delivery sequence. The optimization of the delivery sequence is described below with reference to Fig. 9 described.

[0060] Fig. Figure 9 is a view illustrating an example of optimized processing of the delivery sequence. It describes, by way of example, the case where fifty rolls of RL are delivered from the automatic storage device 200 using one rack 10 for small rolls and one rack 10 for large and small rolls. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9(c), the description is based on the assumption that in the rack 10 for small rollers thirty receiving slots 12 are provided for receiving rollers RL with small roller diameter, while in the rack 10 for large and small rollers fifteen receiving slots 12 are provided for receiving rollers RL with small roller diameter and five receiving slots 12 are provided for receiving rollers RL with large roller diameter.

[0061] As described above, when delivering rolls RL from the automatic storage device 200, the system management control unit 310 creates, for example, the Fig. 9(a) shows a delivery sequence list. Here, a delivery sequence list is created for delivering forty-five small-diameter rolls of RL and five large-diameter rolls of RL. According to this delivery sequence list, the automatic storage device 200 first uses the small-diameter rack 10 to deliver twenty small-diameter rolls of RL. Then, secondly, the large- and small-diameter rack 10 is used to deliver five large-diameter rolls of RL. After the automatic storage device 200 has transferred five large-diameter rolls of RL to the large-diameter receiving slots 12 of the rack 10 using the large- and small-diameter rack 10, it then transfers all of the small-diameter rolls of RL to the small-diameter receiving slots 12.Since no more rollers can be accommodated in rack 10 for large and small rollers, rack 10 for small rollers is used as a third option for delivering the remaining ten rollers RL with small roller diameter (since ten rollers RL remain, rack 10 for large and small rollers can also be used).

[0062] The problematic aspect of the delivery sequence of Fig. 9(a) is that during the 21st delivery, a change occurs from the small-diameter rollers RL to the large-diameter rollers RL as the delivery item. More precisely, although ten receiving slots 12 for small-diameter rollers are empty, the change to a rack 10 for both large and small-diameter rollers is a factor that reduces delivery efficiency. As in Fig. As indicated by the broken arrows, the system management control unit 310 therefore prioritizes delivery using rack 10 for large and small casters (which are in Fig. (9 dotted areas). In this way, the frequency of delivering and issuing the racks 10 decreases, thus shortening the time required for delivery. In this way, the system management control unit 310 serves as the "information acquisition unit" of the present invention, thereby increasing delivery efficiency.

[0063] Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of a second embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 11 is a view that schematically illustrates the delivery process at the automatic storage device. Fig. Figure 10 illustrates the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs primarily from the automatic storage device 200 of the first embodiment in that ( Fig. 3A), that the delivery processing for two racks 10 can be carried out in parallel. Thus, an opening section 211A has been added to the front of the base body section 210 of the automatic storage device 200, in addition to the opening section 211, and a front door 212A is provided for opening and closing the opening section 211A. The opening section 211A has an opening size that corresponds to the rack 10, which can accommodate several rolls RL. A rack holding unit 220A, designed in the same way as the rack holding unit 220, has been added below the front door 212A.

[0064] The rack holding unit 220A includes a rack transport unit 221A, which is designed to support the rack 10 from below and move it back and forth in the X-direction. The rack transport unit 221A is formed by a conveyor belt or roller track and extends below the opening section 211A in the X-direction. More precisely, and as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. As shown in Figure 11, an end section of the rack transport unit 221A on the (+X) side extends to the outside of the base body section 210A, while an end section on the (-X) side projects into the interior of the base body section 210 and extends to the transfer position Pt2. The rack transport unit 221A, like the rack transport unit 221, is driven by the infeed and outfeed drive unit 222 ( Fig. 2) The frame 10 is driven and transports between a transfer position Pt2 and a handover position Pd2. Although in Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 11 (not shown) provides a stop element and a locking mechanism for positioning the frame 10 in the transfer position Pt2, so that the frame 10 is held firmly in the transfer position Pt2 by the frame holding unit 220A. In the second embodiment, the opening section 211, the transfer position Pt2, the transfer position Pd2, the frame holding unit 220A, the frame transport unit 221A, and the locking mechanism provided on the frame holding unit 220A each correspond to an example of the "second opening section," the "second transfer position," the "second transfer position," the "second frame holding unit," the "second frame transport unit," and the "second frame fixing mechanism," respectively.

[0065] In the automatic storage device 200 with this configuration, a delivery processing operation is carried out on a rack 10, which is held in one of the transfer positions Pt1, Pt2, just as in the first embodiment. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 11(a), for example, while the transfer unit 250 delivers RL rolls from the storage unit 240 to the rack 10 positioned in transfer position Pt1, the storage control unit 230 assesses whether an empty rack 10 is held in transfer position Pt2. If an empty rack 10 is held in transfer position Pt2, the storage control unit 230 continues the transfer of the RL rolls to the rack 10 positioned in transfer position Pt1 unchanged, according to the delivery sequence list.

[0066] If, however, no empty rack 10 is held in transfer position Pt2, the storage control unit 230 reports this to the production management device 300. The system management control unit 310 of the production management device 300 then sends a message to the operator's portable terminal 400, requesting that they place an empty rack 10 at the transfer position Pd2 of the automatic storage device 200. The operator's portable terminal 400 then receives the message and displays it on the touch panel 420. When the operator sees this and subsequently opens the front door 212A and places an empty rack 10, the storage control unit 230 commands the infeed and outfeed drive unit 222 to transport the empty rack 10 from the transfer position Pd2 to the transfer position Pt2. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 11(a), the empty frame 10 is positioned and held in the transfer position Pt2 until the delivery of the rollers RL to the frame 10 positioned in the transfer position Pt1 is completed.

[0067] When the delivery of the rollers RL to the rack 10 positioned in transfer position Pt1 is complete, the storage control unit 230 issues a hold release command to the locking drive unit 226 to release the rack 10 from the hold. Subsequently, the storage control unit 230 issues a transport command to the infeed and outfeed drive unit 222, so that it, as described in Fig. Figure 11(b) shows the frame 10, in which several rollers RL are held, transported from the transfer position Pt1 in the (+X) direction and positioned in a position where it can be easily received by the worker OP, i.e. in the handover position Pd1.

[0068] When this positioning is complete, the storage control unit 230 reports this to the production management device 300. The system management control unit 310 then sends a message to the portable terminal 400 of the worker OP, indicating that a rack 10 with delivered casters RL is at the transfer position Pd1 and requesting that they place an empty rack 10 at the transfer position Pd1.

[0069] The portable terminal 400 of the operator (OP) then receives the message and displays it on the touch panel 420. Upon seeing this message, the operator (OP) goes to the transfer position Pd1 of the automatic storage device 200, takes the rack 10 containing rolls from the transfer position Pd1, and then places an empty rack 10 at the transfer position Pd1. When the operator (OP) signals to the automatic storage device 200 that the storage process is complete, the storage control unit 230 of the automatic storage device 200 issues a pick-up command to the infeed and outfeed drive unit 222, transports the empty rack 10 from the transfer position Pd1 to the transfer position Pt1, and positions it. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 11(c), the empty frame 10 is positioned and held in the transfer position Pt1 until the delivery of the rollers RL to the frame 10 positioned in the transfer position Pt2 is completed.

[0070] Once the delivery of the rolls RL to the rack 10 positioned in transfer position Pt2 is complete, the storage control unit 230 issues a hold release command to the locking drive unit 226 to release the rack 10 from its hold. Subsequently, the storage control unit 230 issues a transport command to the delivery and dispensing drive unit 222, causing it to transport the rack 10, which contains several rolls RL, from transfer position Pt2 in the (+X) direction and position it in a location where it can be easily received by the operator OP, i.e., in the handover position Pd2.

[0071] Once this positioning is complete, the storage control unit 230 reports this to the production management device 300. The system management control unit 310 then sends a message to the portable terminal 400 of the operator (OP) indicating that a rack 10 containing delivered rolls RL is at the transfer position Pd1 and instructing the operator to place an empty rack 10 at the transfer position Pd1. By repeating this delivery process, a large quantity of rolls RL can be efficiently delivered from the automatic storage device 200.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the worker OP transports the rack 10 between the component assembly devices MC1-MC3 and the automatic storage device 200, but the outbound processing can be automated by using an AGV. The same applies to the inbound processing.

[0073] Fig. Figure 12 is a view that schematically illustrates an example of storage processing on the production system of the present invention. Fig. Figure 13 is a view that schematically illustrates an example of delivery processing at the production system of the present invention. Fig. The arrows AR1-AR4 have the following meanings: AR1: Roller picking process in the frame by the worker OP AR2: Rack transport process by an AGV from a storage preparation area to a roll storage area AR3: Rack transport operation from the AGV to the automatic storage device 200 AR4: Roll storage process from rack 10 to storage unit 240

[0074] The AR5-AR8 arrows in Fig. 13 have the following meaning: AR5: Process of picking up rolls from storage unit 240 into rack 10 AR6: Rack transport process from the automatic storage device 200 to the AGV AR7: Rack transport process from the roll storage area to the component assembly area by the AGV AR8: Procedure for attaching the rollers from frame 10 to the component mounting devices MC1-MC3 by worker OP

[0075] In this way, the AGV allows for a high degree of automation in the storage and delivery processing of the RL rolls, thus further increasing work efficiency. (Production system 100) Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 The system management control unit 310 of the production management device 300 controls the AGV and thus serves as the “transport control unit” of the present invention.

[0076] For the production system 100 off Fig. 13. An AGV can also be used for the empty frame 10. If the empty frame 10 is transported by the AGV, the design is preferably such that, as in Fig.Figure 8 shows several empty racks 10 with different receiving slot structures being kept ready, and one of these racks is transferred to the AGV. In this case, the configuration can be such that a rack feed position is provided at which the transfer of the rack 10 to the AGV is possible, and the rack feed unit of the rack feed position feeds a selected rack 10. When selecting the rack 10, the system management control unit 310, when used for delivering reels from the automatic storage device 200 to the component assembly devices MC1-MC3, selects an empty rack with a receiving slot structure with maximum receiving capacity for the reels RL. In this way, the system management control unit 310 serves as the "rack selection unit" of the present invention.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and the foregoing embodiments can be modified in various ways, as long as this does not deviate from the essence of the invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, the configuration is such that various messages are displayed on the portable terminal 400, but an embodiment is also possible in which the display takes place on a large monitor (not shown) instead of the portable terminal 400, which is installed in a storage preparation area, a roll storage area, a component assembly area, or the like.

[0078] A single worker (OP) also performs the storage and delivery processing for the multiple component assembly devices MC1-MC3, but the same messages can also be displayed on portable terminals 400 if several workers divide the storage and delivery processing among themselves.

[0079] In the embodiments described above, various messages and the like are displayed on the portable terminal 400 or the large monitor and thus communicated visually to the operator, but they can also be communicated acoustically together with or instead of this display.

[0080] In the embodiments described above, the rolls RL are stored in the automatic storage device 200, but the “component receiving body” of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can also be applied to an automatic storage device in which trays containing components are stored, an automatic storage system and an automatic storage method that store the trays using the automatic storage device, and a production system that produces printed circuit boards populated with components using the trays stored by the automatic storage device. Commercial use

[0081] The present invention can be generally applied to techniques for automatic storage that store component receiving bodies (rolls or trays) in which components are received. Explanation of reference symbols 10, 10A-10C rack 12 Mounting slots (of the frame) 100 production system 200 automatic storage devices 210 Basic body section 211 (first) opening section 211A (second) opening section 220 (first) rack holding unit 220A (second) rack holding unit 221 (first) rack transport unit 221A (second) rack transport unit 224 Locking mechanism (first frame fixing mechanism) 224A Locking mechanism (second frame fixing mechanism) 230 Storage control unit 231 Delivery control unit 232 Storage control unit 233 Delivery and output control unit 240 storage units 250 transfer units 300 Production Management Device 310 System Management Control Unit 311 Information Management Unit 312 Delivery Information Creation Unit 313 Message Generation Unit 400 portable devices 420 Touch panel (signaling unit) Operating room staff Pd1 (first) handover position Pd2 (second) handover position Pt1, Pt2 Transfer position RL roller (component receiving body) x Inbound and outbound transport direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2018-164017 A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Automatic storage device, characterized by : a base body portion on which a plurality of receiving slots are provided into which component receiving bodies in which components are received can be inserted and removed, and a first opening portion into which a rack can be transported and out of which again, a first rack holding unit that holds a rack transported through the first opening portion into the interior of the main body portion in a first transfer position, a storage unit in which several of the component receiving bodies can be stored inside the base body section, a transfer unit that transfers the component receiving bodies between the rack in the first transfer position and the storage unit, and a storage control unit that controls the transfer unit, wherein the storage control unit has a delivery control unit that controls the transfer unit to transfer a plurality of component receiving bodies for which a delivery request exists into the receiving slots, respectively. [2] The automatic storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first rack holding unit has a first rack fixing mechanism that fixes the rack in the first transfer position. [3] The automatic storage device according to claim 2, wherein a first rack transporting unit is provided on the first rack holding unit, which transports the rack between a first transfer position opposite to the first transfer position with the first opening portion therebetween and the first transfer position, wherein the first rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the first transfer position by the first rack transporting unit to the first rack transporting unit, and after receiving the plurality of component receiving bodies for which there is a delivery request in the rack, releases the fixation of the rack to the first rack transporting unit and enables the transport of the rack to the first transfer position by the first rack transporting unit. [4] The automatic storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second rack holding unit that holds the rack, which has been transported into the interior of the main body portion through a second opening portion provided at a position different from the first opening portion on the main body portion, in a second transfer position different from the first transfer position, the transfer unit transferring the component receiving bodies between the rack in the second transfer position and the storage unit. [5] The automatic storage device according to claim 4, wherein the second rack holding unit has a second rack fixing mechanism that fixes the rack in the second transfer position. [6] The automatic storage device according to claim 5, wherein a second rack transporting unit is provided on the second rack holding unit, which transports the rack between a second transfer position opposite to the second transfer position with the second opening portion therebetween and the second transfer position, wherein the second rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the second transfer position by the second rack transporting unit to the second rack transporting unit, and after receiving the plurality of component receiving bodies for which there is a delivery request in the rack, releases the fixation of the rack to the second rack transporting unit and enables the transport of the rack to the second transfer position by the second rack transporting unit. [7] The automatic storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage control unit includes a storage control unit that controls the transfer unit such that, in the event that there is a request to store a plurality of component receiving bodies received in the receiving slots into the storage unit, the plurality of component receiving bodies are transferred to the storage unit. [8] Automatic storage system, characterized by : the automatic storage device according to one of claims 1 to 7, an information management unit that manages storage information for each component receiving body stored in the storage unit, in which the type of the component receiving body and the storage position of the storage unit are linked, and a delivery information creation unit that creates delivery information for each component receiving body for which a delivery request exists, including a delivery sequence of the component receiving bodies by the transfer unit such that the component receiving body is transferred into a receiving slot based on the storage information corresponding to the component receiving body, wherein the storage control unit controls the transfer unit to transfer the component receiving bodies from the storage unit to the rack according to the delivery information created by the delivery information creating unit. [9] The automatic storage system according to claim 8, wherein the information management unit further manages a production plan for producing component-mounted printed circuit boards by mounting components on the printed circuit boards using component mounters, wherein the delivery information creation unit determines the component receiving bodies to be delivered based on the production plan received from the information management unit. [10] The automatic storage system according to claim 9, wherein the information management unit further manages a production situation of the printed circuit boards mounted with components by means of the component mounting devices, wherein the delivery information creation unit determines a change in the delivery sequence or a delivery interruption based on the production situation received from the information management unit, wherein the storage control unit controls the transfer unit so that, in the event that a change in the delivery sequence is received by the delivery information creation unit, the transfer unit transfers the component receiving bodies in the changed delivery sequence from the storage unit to the rack, and in the event that a delivery interruption is received by the delivery information creation unit,interrupts the transfer of the component holding bodies from the storage unit to the rack. [11] The automatic storage system according to claim 10, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the situation of delivery of the component receiving bodies to the rack, wherein the storage control unit controls the notification unit such that when the delivery sequence changes, the occurrence of the delivery sequence change is notified, and when the transfer of the component receiving bodies is interrupted, the occurrence of the transfer interruption is notified. [12] The automatic storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the situation of delivery of the component receiving bodies to the rack, wherein the storage control unit controls the notification unit so as to notify the completion of the preparation for carrying away the rack when the transfer of the component receiving bodies has been completed according to the delivery sequence. [13] The automatic storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising an information acquiring unit that acquires rack structure information on the structure of the plurality of receiving slots provided in the rack, wherein the delivery information creating unit creates, for each component receiving body to be delivered, information on the receiving slot among the plurality of receiving slots to which the component receiving body is to be transferred, together with the delivery sequence as delivery information, based on the type of the component receiving body and the rack structure information. [14] An automatic storage method which delivers a plurality of component receiving bodies using the automatic storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by : Holding an empty rack in which no component receiving bodies are received in the plurality of receiving slots in the first transfer position, transferring respective component receiving bodies for which a delivery request exists into the receiving slots of the rack held in the first transfer position and Releasing the holding of the rack and reporting that the delivery preparation has been completed after determining that the plurality of component receiving bodies for which there is a delivery request have been received in the rack. [15] Production system that produces printed circuit boards populated with components using a component mounting device, characterized by : the automatic storage device according to claim 3, a transport device that transports the rack between the automatic storage device and the component mounting device, and a transport control unit that controls the transport device such that after receiving a plurality of component receiving bodies in the automatic storage device, the rack transported to a first transfer position is transported to the component mounting device. [16] Production system according to claim 15, comprising: a rack feed unit that selectively feeds one rack from a plurality of empty racks with different receiving slot structures to a rack feed position at which transfer to a transport device is possible, and a rack selection unit that selects an empty rack having a receiving slot structure whose receiving capacity for component receiving bodies is the largest when used to deliver component receiving bodies from the automatic storage device to the component mounting device, wherein the rack supply unit supplies the rack determined by the rack selection unit to the rack supply position, and the transport control unit controls the transport device such that the rack is transported from the rack supply unit to the automatic storage device.

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