Intelligent material supply system and intelligent material supply method

Abstract

To provide an intelligent material supply system and an intelligent material supply method.SOLUTION: A material supply module is signally connected to an operation machine, and contains at least one sensitive type mounting frame and a center control module. A sensitive type mounting frame contains a plurality of sensitive mounting spaces and a plurality of displays. Each sensitive mounting space is provided so as to be corresponded to each display, and is used for housing a feeder or a material reel that is required for the operation machine. The center control module is signally connected to each sensitive mounting space of the sensitive type mounting frame and each display, and contains a microprocessor and a communication unit. The communication unit is used for receiving a material shortage signal transmitted from the operation machine, and the microprocessor receives the material shortage signal from the communication unit, and drives each display to be corresponded so as to emit a material shortage warning. Thus, it is advantageous for correctly and smoothly performing material replenishment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a material supply system and a material supply method, and more particularly to an intelligent material supply system and an intelligent material supply method. [Background technology]

[0002] As industrial development matures, the work procedures of various manufacturing, assembly and OEM industries are becoming more and more detailed. Even when the same parts or raw materials are used for different products, they can be matched with different machines, or different raw materials can be applied on the same machine according to the flow of the manufacturing process. Even though modern industries rely more and more on automation, there are still many steps and processes that require manual work, such as replenishing materials to manufacturing machines. How to systematically plan the system and method of replenishing and supplying materials when operating a large number of machines has become an important and urgent problem to be solved in related industries. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides an intelligent material supply system and an intelligent material supply method that directly receives a material shortage signal from a work machine and directly issues a material shortage warning to a location where the material reel or feeder is stored corresponding to a material supply module, thereby allowing an operator to accurately and quickly obtain a material reel or feeder to replenish the work machine with material.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an intelligent material supply system comprising: at least one work machine; at least one material supply module signal-connected to the work machine, the at least one material supply module including a sensing loading frame including a plurality of sensing loading spaces and a plurality of displays, each sensing loading space being provided corresponding to each display, used to accommodate feeders or material reels required by the work machine; and a central control module signal-connected to the sensing loading spaces and displays of the sensing loading frame, the central control module including a microprocessor and a communication unit, the communication unit being used to receive a material shortage signal transmitted from the work machine, the microprocessor receiving the material shortage signal from the communication unit and driving a corresponding display to issue a material shortage warning.

[0005] According to the intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, each sensing placement space may include a detection mechanism corresponding to a material reel, and when a material reel is placed in the sensing placement space, the detection mechanism is triggered and transmits a signal to the central control module.

[0006] According to the intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, each sensing placement space may include a communication bus corresponding to a feeder, and when a feeder is placed in the sensing placement space, the communication bus is triggered and transmits a signal to the central control module.

[0007] According to the intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, the material supply module may further include a mobile stand including a stand body and a plurality of wheel members, the wheel members being assembled to a bottom side of the stand body, and the sensory mounting frame being provided on the stand body.

[0008] According to the intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, the material supply module may further include a man-machine interface signally connected to the central control module.

[0009] According to the intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, the material supply module may further include a power supply unit for supplying power to the material supply module.

[0010] The intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph may further include an information integration platform communicatively connected to the work machine and the material supply module.

[0011] According to the intelligent material supply system of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, each display can further issue a material preparation warning and a material replenishment warning, and if a feeder or material reel is contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to each display, a material preparation warning is issued, and if a feeder or material reel is not contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to each display, a material replenishment warning is issued.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an intelligent material supply method is provided, comprising the steps of a work machine sending a material shortage signal to at least one material supply module, and a communication unit of a central control module in the material supply module receiving the material shortage signal and driving a display in at least one sensory loading frame to issue a material shortage warning, wherein the display corresponds to a sensory loading space in the sensory loading frame, and the sensory loading space is used to accommodate a feeder or material reel required by the work machine.

[0013] According to the intelligent material supply method of the aspect described in the preceding paragraph, if a feeder or material reel is contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to the display, a material preparation warning can be issued, and if a feeder or material reel is not contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to the display, a material replenishment warning can be issued. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an intelligent material supply system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing placement frame and material reel according to one implementation of the embodiment of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detection mechanism according to the embodiment of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view of the sensory placement frame and material reel according to FIG. 2; [Diagram 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a sensing mounting frame according to another example of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication bus according to the embodiment of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 4 is a step flow chart illustrating a method for intelligent material supply according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram showing an intelligent material supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the intelligent material supply system includes at least one work machine 200 and at least one material supply module 100, and the material supply module 100 is signally connected to the work machine 200. Specifically, the work machine 200 may be a machine that replenishes and replaces material reels, such as a mounter, which is commonly seen in current manufacturing and OEM industries. It has multiple working spaces for accommodating feeders or material reels loaded with multiple materials. The material supply module 100 is used to accommodate multiple feeders or material reels that the work machine 200 replaces and replenishes.

[0016] In detail, the material supply module 100 is signal-connected to the work machine 200 and includes at least one sensory loading frame 110 and a central control module 120. The sensory loading frame 110 includes a plurality of sensory loading spaces 111 and a plurality of displays 112, each of which is provided corresponding to each display 112, and each of which is used to accommodate a feeder or material reel required by the work machine 200. The central control module 120 is signal-connected to the sensory loading spaces 111 and the displays 112 of the sensory loading frame 110 and includes a microprocessor 121 and a communication unit 122. The communication unit 122 is used to receive a material shortage signal sent from the work machine 200, and the microprocessor 121 is used to drive the corresponding display 112 to issue a material shortage warning. In other words, the material supply module 100 is communicatively connected wirelessly or by wire to the work machine 200 via the communication unit 122, thereby receiving a material shortage signal by issuing a material shortage signal when any of the work spaces of the work machine 200 runs out of material reels, and via the microprocessor 121, driving the display 112 corresponding to the sensing placement space 111 in which the corresponding feeder or material reel is located to issue a material shortage warning.

[0017] Please refer to Figures 2, 3 and 4. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the sensing placement frame 110 and the material reel A according to one embodiment of the embodiment of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the detection mechanism (without reference numerals) according to the embodiment of Figure 2, and Figure 4 shows a side view of the sensing placement frame 110 and the material reel A according to Figure 2. In the embodiment of Figures 2, 3 and 4, the sensing placement space 111 accommodates the material reel A. It should be noted that in practical application, the material reel A is connected to the feeder A1, and the form of the connection is determined by the shape of the material reel A or the feeder A1. Therefore, the connection relationship between them is shown by two-dot chain lines in Figures 2 and 4. The present disclosure is not limited to the material reel A and the feeder A1 disclosed in Figures 2 and 4.

[0018] Also, please refer to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing placement frame 110 according to another example of the embodiment of Figure 1, and Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a communication bus 113 according to the example of Figure 5. In the examples of Figures 5 and 6, the sensing placement space 111 accommodates a feeder B. It should be noted that in practical applications, the feeder B is connected to a material reel (not shown), and the type of connection is determined by the shape of the material reel or feeder B. The present disclosure is not limited to the feeder B disclosed in Figure 6.

[0019] Considering the scale of a typical manufacturing plant in the related technical field, the material preparation method of storing material reels at a fixed position has difficulty in meeting the material supply needs of a large number of work machines 200. Therefore, the material supply module 100 of the present disclosure may further be a mobile material supply module. Specifically, the material supply module 100 may further include a mobile stand (not shown) including a stand body 102 and a plurality of wheel members 101. The wheel members 101 are assembled to the bottom side of the stand body 102, and the sensing placement frame 110 is provided on the stand body 102. This is advantageous in smoothly moving the material supply module 100 near the corresponding work machine 200 according to needs and improving the efficiency of material reel replacement.

[0020] Since the work machine 200 may have multiple work spaces and can accommodate feeders or material reels that supply different materials according to the needs of the work, the sensing placement space 111 of each sensing placement frame 110 can also accommodate feeders B (shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6) or material reels A (shown in the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) with different materials according to the needs of material preparation. In order to further improve the accuracy and efficiency of the material supplying module 100, the material supplying module 100 may further include a man-machine interface 130 that is signal-connected to the central control module 120. The man-machine interface 130 may be a touch-type or a computerized device that combines a display screen and an operation button. When the feeder B or the material reel A is stored in the sensing placement space 111 of the sensing placement frame 110, the operator can set and edit the information of the feeder B or the material reel A corresponding to each sensing placement space 111 (e.g., the identifier of the feeder B, the part number, the name, the number of the product in the material reel A, the number of the corresponding work machine 200, etc.) through the man-machine interface 130. In addition, the intelligent material supply system may further include an information integration platform 300 communicatively connected to the work machine 200 and the material supply module 100. Through the man-machine interface 130, the above-mentioned set and edited information can be stored in the information integration platform 300 by the communication unit 122, and each work machine 200 can also obtain the above-mentioned information from the information integration platform 300. This is advantageous in that, when the work machine 200 is short of material, the display 112 corresponding to the sensing placement space 111 in which the feeder B or the material reel A is placed can be accurately driven to issue a material shortage warning, and the operator can quickly and accurately pick up the feeder B or the material reel A in accordance with the material shortage warning to replace or replenish the work machine 200.

[0021] In detail, the information integration platform 300 may be a cloud platform or a database, which is equipped with at least one of a Shop Floor Tracking (SFT), a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The information integration platform 300 may be communicatively connected to the work machine 200 and the material supply module 100 by wire or wirelessly. The arrangement of the information integration platform 300 is favorable for systematically managing the relevant information of each work machine 200, the material supply module 100, the feeder, the material reel, the material, and the like, and the material shortage signal sent from the work machine 200 can be first sent to the information integration platform 300, and then compared with the position of the required material reel or feeder, and then sent to the material supply module 100 carrying the material reel, so as to accurately drive the display 112 corresponding to the sensing placement space 111 where the material reel is located.

[0022] In addition, since the material supply module 100 is movable, and the central control module 120, the sensing placement space 111 and the display 112 of the sensing placement frame 110, and the man-machine interface 130 all have power needs, the material supply module 100 may further include a power supply unit 140 for supplying power to the material supply module 100. Specifically, the power supply unit 140 of the present disclosure may be a battery management system (abbreviated as BMS), which is a repeatedly rechargeable battery and has a function of measuring the battery voltage itself, which can further ensure a stable power supply. Thereby, the material supply module 100 does not need to be fixed near a power supply source according to the characteristics of the power needs, and the flexibility of the application of the material supply module 100 is greatly improved.

[0023] In addition, each display 112 can further issue a material preparation warning and a material replenishment warning, and if the feeder B or the material reel A is accommodated in the sensing placement space 111 corresponding to each display 112, a material preparation warning is issued, and if the feeder B or the material reel A is not accommodated in the sensing placement space 111 corresponding to each display 112, a material replenishment warning is issued. In particular, whether the feeder B or the material reel A has already been prepared in each sensing placement space 111 of the sensing placement frame 110 is also very important for the control management and smoothness of the entire manufacturing process. Therefore, each sensing placement space 111 may further include a detection mechanism (not shown, corresponding to the embodiments in Figures 2, 3 and 4) or a communication bus 113 (corresponding to the embodiments in Figures 5 and 6).

[0024] Please refer to the embodiments of Figures 2, 3 and 4. The sensing mechanism is provided corresponding to the material reel A, and the sensing mechanism may include a linkage 1111 and a sensing component (no reference number). When the material reel A is placed in the sensing placement space 111, the driving end 1112 of the linkage 1111 is pressed against the material reel A, and the sensing end 1113 is driven to displace between the light emitting element 1114 and the light receiving element 1115 of the sensing component, at this time, the light beam transmitted from the light emitting element 1114 to the light receiving element 1115 is interrupted, and the sensing mechanism is triggered and transmits a signal to the central control module 120. That is, when the material reel A is placed in the sensing placement space 111, the sensing mechanism is triggered to drive the display 112 to issue a material preparation warning. When the material reel A is removed from the sensing placement space 111, the sensing end 1113 is separated from between the light emitting element 1114 and the light receiving element 1115 of the sensing component by gravity, so that the light receiving element 1115 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 1114, and the sensing mechanism is triggered to drive the display 112 to issue a material refill warning. This can promptly notify the operator to refill the material. In addition to the light sensing mechanism, the sensing mechanism may be a force sensing mechanism, a contact switch, a sound sensing mechanism, or a heat sensing mechanism, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the sensing mechanism is triggered, it transmits a signal to the central control module 120 and drives the display 112 to issue a corresponding warning.

[0025] Please refer to the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6. The communication bus 113 is provided corresponding to the feeder B, and when the feeder B is placed in the sensing placement space 111, the communication bus 113 is triggered to transmit a signal to the central control module 120. When the feeder B is placed in the sensing placement space 111, the communication bus 113 is triggered to drive the display 112 to issue a material preparation warning, and when the feeder B is removed from the sensing placement space 111, the communication bus 113 is triggered to drive the display 112 to issue a material replenishment warning. This can promptly inform the operator to replenish materials.

[0026] In the intelligent material supply system according to the present disclosure, the display 112 may be a lamp and may provide at least three modes. When issuing a material shortage warning, the display 112 may display a red light or a flashing light, thereby visually notifying the operator that the working machine 200 in operation is running low on material, and prompting the operator to replenish the material as soon as possible. When issuing a material preparation warning, the display 112 may display a blue light or a light of any color, indicating that a material reel is already prepared in the corresponding sensing placement space 111. When issuing a material replenishment warning, the display 112 may display a non-lighting light, thereby allowing the operator to replenish the material reel or feeder as soon as possible to prepare for the needs of the working machine 200. It should be noted that the types and notification methods of the display 112 are not limited to those described above.

[0027] In addition, when there are multiple material supply modules 100 in one factory, the display effect of the display 112 corresponding to the sensing placement space 111 may be difficult to understand. Therefore, the material supply module 100 may further include an alarm 150 and a warning light 160, which are respectively provided on the stand body 102 of the material supply module 100 and signal-connected to the central control module 120, and the power supply unit 140 supplies the necessary power. The alarm 150 and the warning light 160 can individually or simultaneously issue information when the display 112 issues a material shortage warning, for example, the alarm 150 can issue an alarm sound and the warning light 160 can be turned on, so that the operator can confirm which material supply module 100 the target material is located in, and improve the work efficiency.

[0028] Please refer to FIG. 7, which shows a step flow chart of an intelligent material supplying method S100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The intelligent material supplying method S100 may be implemented in combination with the intelligent material supplying system of the embodiment of FIG. 1. In the following description, the corresponding elements of the embodiment of FIG. 1 are numbered according to the corresponding elements, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the intelligent material supplying method S100 includes the following steps: In step S110, the work machine 200 sends a material shortage signal to at least one material supplying module 100. In step S120, the communication unit 122 of the central control module 120 in the material supplying module 100 receives the material shortage signal and drives the display 112 in at least one sensing placement frame 110 to issue a material shortage warning, the display 112 corresponds to the sensing placement space 111 in the sensing placement frame 110, and the sensing placement space 111 is used to accommodate the feeder or material reel required for the work machine 200. In other words, by steps S110 and S120, the material supply module 100 can issue a material shortage warning via the corresponding display 112 in the sensing placement space 111 where the feeder or material reel required by the work machine 200 is accurately placed, to inform the worker to go and get it.

[0029] In addition, the display 112 can issue a material preparation warning when a feeder or material reel is contained in the corresponding sensing placement space 111, and the display 112 can issue a material replenishment warning when a feeder or material reel is not contained in the corresponding sensing placement space 111.

[0030] In addition, the intelligent material supplying method S100 of FIG. 7 may further perform other steps related to material supplying in combination with the intelligent material supplying system of the embodiment of FIG. 1, which will not be described here.

[0031] The present disclosure has been disclosed above based on the embodiments, but the above embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is based on that defined in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 100 Material Supply Module 101 Wheel parts 102 Stand body 110 Sensory placement frame 111 Sensing Placement Space 1111 Linkage 1112 Drive end 1113 Sensing end 1114 Light emitting element 1115 Photodetector 112 Display 113 Communication Bus 120 Central Control Module 121 Microprocessors 122 Communication Unit 130 Man-machine interface 140 Power Supply Unit 150 alarm 160 Warning light 200 Work Machines 300 Information Integration Platform S100 Intelligent Material Supply Method S110, S120 Step A Material reel A1, B feeder

Claims

1. at least one work machine; at least one material supply module signally connected to the at least one work machine, At least one sensing loading frame including a plurality of sensing loading spaces and a plurality of displays, each of the sensing loading spaces being provided corresponding to each of the displays, and used to accommodate feeders or material reels required for the at least one work machine; a central control module signally connected to the sensing loading space of the at least one sensing loading frame and the display, the central control module including a microprocessor and a communication unit, the communication unit being used to receive a material shortage signal transmitted from the at least one work machine, the microprocessor receiving the material shortage signal from the communication unit and driving the corresponding display to issue a material shortage warning; At least one material supply module including: An intelligent material supply system comprising:

2. Each of the sensing placement spaces includes: A detection mechanism is provided corresponding to the material reel, 2. The intelligent material supply system of claim 1, wherein when the material reel is placed in the sensing placement space, the sensing mechanism is triggered and transmits a signal to the central control module.

3. Each of the sensing placement spaces includes: a communication bus provided corresponding to the feeder; 2. The intelligent material feeding system of claim 1, wherein when the feeder is placed in the sensing placement space, the communication bus is triggered and transmits a signal to the central control module.

4. The at least one material supply module comprises: The intelligent material supply system of claim 1, further comprising a mobile stand including a stand body and a plurality of wheel members, the wheel members being mounted on a bottom side of the stand body, and the at least one sensory loading frame being provided on the stand body.

5. The at least one material supply module comprises:

10. The intelligent material supply system of claim 1, further comprising a man-machine interface signally connected to said central control module.

6. The at least one material supply module comprises: The intelligent material supply system of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply unit for supplying power to the at least one material supply module.

7. The intelligent material application system of claim 1 , further comprising an information integration platform communicatively connected to said at least one work machine and said at least one material application module.

8. Each of said displays further provides a material ready alert and a material refill alert; The intelligent material supply system of claim 1, wherein the material preparation warning is issued when the feeder or material reel is contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to each of the displays, and the material replenishment warning is issued when the feeder or material reel is not contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to each of the displays.

9. a work machine transmitting a material shortage signal to at least one material supply module; a communication unit of a central control module in the at least one material supply module receiving the low-material signal and driving a display in at least one sensory loading frame to generate a low-material warning; Including, The display corresponds to a sensed placement space in the at least one sensing placement frame, the sensed placement space being used to accommodate a feeder or material reel required by the work machine.

10. The intelligent material supply method of claim 9, further comprising issuing a material preparation warning when the feeder or the material reel is contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to the display, and issuing a material replenishment warning when the feeder or the material reel is not contained in the sensing placement space corresponding to the display.

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