Work support system

Abstract

To provide a work support system that enables workers to easily recognize at which position object goods should be stacked.SOLUTION: A work support system provides supports to workers by giving instructions to them for stacking a plurality of goods on a support that can support the goods. The system is equipped with a projection device and a control device that controls the projection device. With a support 2 or goods W to be stacked on top of goods W already stacked on the support 2 being regarded as target goods, the control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image A indicating a stacking position of the target goods onto a projection target, which is at least one of the support 2 or the goods W that have already been stacked on the support 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work support system that, by giving instructions to a worker, supports a stowage work in which the worker stows a plurality of articles on a support body capable of supporting the articles. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of such a work support system is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. In the following description of this background art, the reference symbols and names in Patent Document 1 will be cited in parentheses.

[0003] The loading equipment of Patent Document 1 is provided with a transfer device (transfer robot 4) that loads items onto a loading section (loading platform 8) and a control device (H) that controls the operation of the transfer device (4), and is configured so that the transfer device (4) loads items onto the loading section (3) in an arrangement determined by an arrangement determination method that determines an arrangement for loading items into multiple tiers, for a loading section (basket cart 3) that is provided with a loading section (8) that is rectangular in plan view and that loads and supports items, and a back section and a pair of side sections that rise from three of the four sides that form the outer edge of the loading section (8). On the other hand, when the transfer device (4) cannot be used due to, for example, limited installation space or a malfunction, an image showing the determined loading pattern may be displayed on a monitor, and an operator may manually load items (W) onto the loading section (3) based on the image displayed on the monitor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 6074769 (embodiment, paragraph 0047) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when multiple items are stowed, it may be difficult to intuitively grasp the detailed stowage position of each item using only the image displayed on the monitor, which may lead to operational mistakes. If such operational mistakes occur, problems may arise such as not being able to stow all the items in the stowage area because the items cannot be stowed according to the determined stowage pattern.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a work support system that enables a worker to easily recognize where the target item should be stowed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In view of the above, the characteristics and configuration of the work support system are as follows: A work support system that supports a worker in a stowage work in which the worker stows a plurality of items on a support body capable of supporting the items by giving instructions to the worker, A projection device; A control device for controlling the projection device, The support or the item to be loaded on the support is the target item, The control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image indicating the loading position of the target item onto a projection target, which is at least one of the support body and the item already loaded on the support body.

[0008] According to this characteristic configuration, when a worker stacks a plurality of items on the support, the worker can easily recognize where the target items should be stacked by looking at the position indicating image projected onto the projection target. Therefore, it is easy to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Outline of goods transport equipment [Diagram 2] Perspective view of a cage car [Diagram 3] A perspective view of a cart during loading work [Figure 4] Control Block Diagram [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a modified example of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a modified example of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a work support system according to a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 1. First embodiment A first embodiment of a work support system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. An example in which the work support system 1 is applied to an article transport facility 100 will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the article transport facility 100 includes the work support system 1, an entrance section 3 into which an article W is carried in, a transport conveyor 5, a work area 4, a storage section 9 for storing the article W, a shipping conveyor 8, a pasting device 7 provided adjacent to the shipping conveyor 8, and a shipping work area 6.

[0011] An item W arriving inside the item conveying equipment 100 is loaded onto a support 2 (here, a basket cart) via the work support system 1. The item W loaded onto the support 2 is then stored in a storage section 9. An item W to be shipped from inside the item conveying equipment 100 is placed from the storage section 9 onto an outgoing conveyor 8. The item W is then transported by the outgoing conveyor 8 to the outgoing work area 6, and shipped from the outgoing work area 6 to the outside of the item conveying equipment 100. A label is affixed to the item W to be shipped by an attachment device 7 during transport by the outgoing conveyor 8. The item W that has arrived at the outgoing work area 6 is loaded onto, for example, a truck and transported to the shipping destination.

[0012] Furthermore, the item W loaded onto the support 2 via the work support system 1 may not be stored in the storage section 9, but may be directly transported to the shipping work area 6 by the shipping conveyor 8. When shipping the item W, the item W may not be placed on the shipping conveyor 8, but may be directly transported to the shipping work area 6. In this case, the label attachment device 7 does not attach a label to the item W.

[0013] In the example of FIG. 1, the shipping conveyor 8 includes a first carry-out conveyor 10, a second carry-out conveyor 11, and a third carry-out conveyor 12. A plurality of first carry-out conveyors 10 are arranged adjacent to each other in the storage section 9. Each of the plurality of first carry-out conveyors 10 is connected to the second carry-out conveyor 11 on the downstream side. The second carry-out conveyor 11 is arranged adjacent to the attachment device 7. The second carry-out conveyor 11 is connected to the plurality of third carry-out conveyors 12 on the downstream side of the attachment device 7. Each of the plurality of third carry-out conveyors 12 is arranged so as to overlap with the shipping work area 6 when viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the article W placed on the first carry-out conveyor 10 passes through the second carry-out conveyor 11 and is transported to one of the plurality of third carry-out conveyors 12. In the shipping work area 6, the worker removes the goods W from the third output conveyor 12 and loads them into a cage cart or the like.

[0014] In addition to the basket cart, examples of the support 2 include various containers such as pallets, cartons, and oricon (foldable containers), and carts. Vehicles such as trucks can be parked in the shipping work area 6, and a plurality of stacked articles W are loaded onto the vehicles and shipped. In the example of FIG. 1, the attachment device 7 is a labeler that automatically attaches a label indicating the shipping destination. The configuration of the shipping conveyor 8 can be changed as appropriate.

[0015] In the storage section 9, a plurality of articles W loaded onto the support 2 by the work support system 1 are stored. In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of supports 2 are arranged side by side in the storage section 9, and a plurality of articles W are loaded onto each of the supports 2. The storage section 9 is arranged between the work support system 1 and the outgoing conveyor 8 (here, the first outgoing conveyor 10). In other words, the storage section 9 is adjacent to both the work support system 1 and the outgoing conveyor 8. Note that, when transporting a plurality of articles W loaded onto the support 2 or an article W not loaded onto the support 2 inside the article transport facility 100 without using a conveyor, it is preferable to use not only manual transport but also a forklift, an automated guided vehicle (AGV), or the like.

[0016] In this embodiment, the article W is a container that can be stacked on the support 2. For example, the article W is a cardboard box serving as a carton container in which objects are stored. Examples of objects that can be stored in a carton container include clothes, books, drinking water, food, machine parts, and the like.

[0017] Moreover, the article W is not limited to a single type, and may be multiple types of articles W. The same type of article W means an article with the same size (length, width, height), shape, and weight, and a different type of article W is defined as an article with different sizes, shapes, and weights in part or in whole.

[0018] The work support system 1 is a device that supports a worker in a loading work of loading a plurality of articles W onto a support body 2 (cage cart) capable of supporting the articles W by giving instructions to the worker.

[0019] 2, the cart 2 in this embodiment is provided with a mounting platform 20 that is rectangular in plan view and supports an article W, three peripheral wall portions 21 that are provided rising from three of the four sides that form the outer edge of the mounting platform 20, and a plurality of moving wheels 22 that are provided on the underside of the mounting platform 20. Two opposing peripheral wall portions 21 of the three peripheral wall portions 21 are referred to as side wall portions 21a, and the remaining peripheral wall portion 21 is referred to as back wall portion 21b. The direction in which the pair of side wall portions 21a are aligned is referred to as the left-right direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the left-right direction is referred to as the front-rear direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the goods W are first loaded onto the loading platform 20 of the cart 2, and then further goods W are successively loaded onto the loaded goods W.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the work support system 1 includes a projection device 14 and a control device 13 that controls the projection device 14.

[0022] The control device 13 receives input of item information regarding the size (length, width, height), shape, weight, number, etc. of the items W. The control device 13 then determines a loading arrangement pattern for loading the multiple items W onto a cart based on a predetermined criterion, and stores the determined pattern.

[0023] In the work area 4, when an item W is taken out from the transport conveyor 5 by a worker and loaded onto a cage car 2, the work support system 1 is activated. Then, the control device 13 controls the projection device 14 based on the loading arrangement pattern to project a position indication image A indicating the loading position of the target item onto the projection target, which is at least one of the cage car 2 and the items W already loaded onto the cage car, with the target item being the cage car 2 or the items W to be loaded onto the cage car 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the position indication image A indicating the loading position of the target item is projected by MR (Mixed Reality) via goggles worn by the worker, with the target item being the item W already loaded onto the cage car 2.

[0024] As a result, when a worker stacks a plurality of articles W on the support 2, the worker can easily recognize where the target articles should be stacked by looking at the position indicating image A projected onto the projection target. This makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's work of stacking articles.

[0025] The projection device 14 applicable to the present invention is not limited to MR, and may be, for example, a laser pointer, projection mapping, etc. In other words, the term "projection" is not limited to projecting an image onto the support 2 or the object W so as to be superimposed thereon using MR goggles or the like as in this embodiment, but is a concept including direct projection onto the support 2 or the object W.

[0026] In this embodiment, the projection target is the lower item W which serves as the support surface of the place where the target item is placed, but is not limited thereto, and may be a support (e.g., the platform 20 of the cart 2, etc.) which serves as the support surface of the place where the target item is placed. Furthermore, in addition to the support which serves as the support surface or the lower item W, the projection target may be a support (e.g., the peripheral wall 21 of the cart 2, etc.) which serves as the side wall surface of the place where the target item is placed, or the side surface of the item W of the same level, or only the side wall surface (e.g., the peripheral wall 21 of the cart 2, etc.) may be the projection target without projecting onto the support surface. In other words, the "position indication image" is not limited to being projected onto the loading position of the target item as in this embodiment, but also includes a concept which includes being projected near the loading position of the target item so as to point to the loading position.

[0027] In addition, the "position indication image" may be, for example, a dot or arrow (such as an arrow projected onto a support that serves as a wall on the side of the location where the target item is to be loaded) that only displays the loading position of the target item.

[0028] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the items W are loaded only by a worker, without using a transfer robot, but this is not limited to this, and for example, there may be cases in which a worker performs the loading work instead of the transfer robot during recovery work when the transfer robot breaks down and an error occurs in the loading work, or during maintenance work on the transfer robot.

[0029] 2. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the object W has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the control device 13 projects a direction indicating image B, which indicates the direction along which the long side of the object in a plan view should be aligned, onto the projection target in addition to or together with the position indicating image A. The work support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0030] The rectangular shape in this embodiment does not necessarily have to be rectangular in the strict sense, but may be one having an approximate rectangular shape.

[0031] In this embodiment, the position indicating image A and the direction indicating image B are integrated and displayed as a single image. The position indicating image A is a rectangular image, and the direction indicating image B is a linear image. It is preferable that the direction indicating image B is displayed in a color (such as red) that is easy for a worker to see. The position and direction of the position indicating image A and the direction indicating image B simultaneously indicate the position and direction in which to stow the rectangular item W.

[0032] According to this configuration, when stacking objects W that are rectangular in plan view, a worker can easily recognize the direction in which to align the long side of the objects W in plan view by looking at the direction indicating image B projected onto the projection target. This reduces the possibility that the worker will stack the objects W in the wrong direction, making it easier to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work of the objects W.

[0033] 13, a linear image indicating the position to place the target item and the direction of the target item may be projected onto the upper surface of the item W that serves as the support surface for the location to place the target item, the loading platform 20 of the cart 2, or the like. Such a linear image may be considered to be a position indicating image A indicating the loading position of the target item, a direction indicating image B indicating the direction of the target item, or a linear image combining the position indicating image A and the direction indicating image B. Such a linear image has a simple shape and is therefore suitable for use when, for example, a laser pointer or projection mapping is used as the projection device 14.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, the direction indicating image B and the position indicating image A are not limited to being displayed as a single image, and the direction indicating image B and the position indicating image A may be configured to be separated and displayed separately.

[0035] 3. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an item W to be loaded next to the target item is set as the next target item, and the control device 13 projects, on the projection target, in addition to a position indication image A, a next position indication image N indicating the loading position of the next target item in a manner different from the position indication image A. The following describes the work support system 1 according to this embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0036] In this embodiment, the next position indication image N is represented by a shape, color, brightness, or the like different from that of the position indication image A, or by a combination of these. The next position indication image N is not necessarily limited to one, and multiple next position indication images N may be projected with numbers assigned to them corresponding to the stacking order, such as #1, #2, #3, . . .

[0037] According to this configuration, when a worker stacks a plurality of items W on the support body, the worker can know in advance the stacking position of the next item W to be stacked. Therefore, the worker can easily improve the efficiency of the stacking work of the items W.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this configuration, the worker can change the stacking order of the current target item and the next target item, which makes it easier to increase the worker's freedom of work.

[0039] 4. Fourth embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 13 projects, onto the projection target, at least one of an order display image H indicating the stacking order of target items among all items W to be stacked on the support 2, and an order display image h of items W that have already been stacked. The following describes the work support system 1 according to this embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0040] The order display image H indicating the stowage order of the target items and the order display image h of the already stowed items W may be, for example, numbers indicating the stowage order as shown in Fig. 8. Other examples of the order display image may include graphics such as a bar graph indicating the position of the target item in the overall items W to be stowed, which corresponds to the order of the target item.

[0041] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the order indication image H and the position indication image A, which indicate the stacking order of the target items, may be displayed as a single integrated image (e.g., using numbers instead of colored lines), or the order indication image H and the position indication image A may each be displayed as separate images.

[0042] 5. Fifth embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the control device 13 sets a reference point E on the support surface that supports a plurality of items W on the support 2, sets an X-axis and a Y-axis that are along a horizontal plane and intersect at the reference point E, and projects a first reference line image C arranged at a position overlapping with the X-axis when viewed in the vertical direction and a second reference line image D arranged at a position overlapping with the Y-axis when viewed in the vertical direction onto the entire support 2 and the items W already loaded on the support 2. In the following, the work support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0043] 9, the support 2 is rectangular (square or rectangle) in plan view, the X-axis and Y-axis are set parallel to each side of the support 2, and the intersection (reference point E) of the X-axis and Y-axis is set at the center of the support surface (center of gravity of the figure). Of course, when an article W is loaded on the support 2, the X-axis, Y-axis, and their intersection are projected onto the upper surface of the loaded article W.

[0044] In this embodiment, the reference point E is not limited to being set at the center of the support surface, but may be set at a position shifted from the center of the support surface. Also, the X-axis and Y-axis may be set in directions intersecting each side of the support body 2.

[0045] In addition, in this embodiment, two reference line images, a first reference line image and a second reference line image, are provided, but this configuration is not limited to this, and for example, a grid-shaped reference line image or a radial reference line image may be set, and further reference line images such as a third reference line image, a fourth reference line image, etc. may be projected.

[0046] According to this configuration, the first reference line image and the second reference line image are projected onto the support surface of the support body 2 or onto the upper surface of the article W already stacked on the support surface, so that the worker can stack the article W using the reference line images as a reference. Therefore, it is easy for the worker to optimize the position at which the article W is stacked.

[0047] 6. Sixth embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it further includes an image display device 15 for displaying an image on a display screen, and the control device 13 displays a status display image F, which is an image corresponding to the item W already loaded on the support 2, and a position indication image G, which indicates the loading position of the target item, on the display screen, and displays a projection image K, which corresponds to an image projected by the projection device 14 onto the projection target, on the display screen, superimposed on the status display image F. The following describes the work support system 1 according to this embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0048] 10, A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1 are displayed on the display screen as projected images K corresponding to a position indicating image A, a direction indicating image B, an X-axis C, a Y-axis D, and an intersection point E, which are images projected onto a projection target by the projection device 14. An image labeled W1 is an image corresponding to an article W.

[0049] In this embodiment, for example, a monitor or a projector is used as the image display device 15. Then, for example, a three-dimensional image showing the same state as the actual stacking state is displayed on the display screen as a situation display image F together with a position indication image G showing the stacking position of the target item. Furthermore, a projection image K corresponding to the image projected by the projection device 14 onto the projection target is displayed on the display screen superimposed on the situation display image F. The displayed projection image K does not necessarily have to be the entire projected image, and only a part of it may be displayed. Also, an image having the same purpose may be displayed in a form different from the projected image. For example, the position indication image A may be a red line in the projected image, and the color of the item W itself may be a color (e.g., red) different from the color of the other items W (e.g., blue) in the display image A1. Also, as the situation display image F, not only the stacked items W but also at least a part of the support 2 may be displayed.

[0050] The projection image K may or may not include the position indication image G. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a position indication image A and a direction indication image B are projected onto the projection target, and as shown in FIG. 10, a projection image A1 corresponding to the position indication image A and a projection image B1 corresponding to the direction indication image B are displayed on the display screen as the projection image K, the projection image K includes the position indication image G. Also, for example, when a linear image as shown in FIG. 13 is projected onto the projection target, and an image corresponding to the linear image is displayed on the display screen as the projection image K, the projection image K includes the position indication image G. On the other hand, for example, even when the position indication image A and the direction indication image B are projected onto the projection target, if the projection image A1 corresponding to the position indication image A is not displayed as the projection image K, and the projection image B1 corresponding to the direction indication image B is displayed on the display screen, the projection image K does not include the position indication image G. Of course, for example, when a position indicating image A and a direction indicating image B are projected onto a projection target, a projected image B1 corresponding to the direction indicating image B may not be displayed, and a projected image A1 corresponding to the position indicating image A may be displayed on the display screen as a projected image K. In this case, the projected image K includes the position indicating image G.

[0051] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can easily recognize where the target item should be stowed, and can also easily recognize the current status of the items W already stowed on the support body 2. This makes it easier to further improve the efficiency of the worker's work of stowage of the items W.

[0052] 10, in this embodiment, the control device 13 may be configured to control the image display device 15 so as to display on the display screen both a three-dimensional image (left side of the paper in FIG. 10) that is a three-dimensional representation of the situation display image F, the position indication image G, and the projection images A1 and B1, and a planar image (right side of the paper in FIG. 10) that is a planar image. Note that it is preferable that the three-dimensional image is an oblique view representation image, and in this case, it is preferable that the display angle can be appropriately changed to an angle that is easy to see by the operator's operation.

[0053] With this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stacked, as well as the current status of the items W already stacked on the support body 2.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 13 may be configured to control the image display device 15 so as to make the position indication image G an image of a shape corresponding to the actual target item, and to display on the display screen an image showing the item W already loaded on the support 2, which is included in the status display image F, and the position indication image G in different aspects (e.g., shape, color, brightness, etc.).

[0055] According to this configuration, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stowed by looking at the image displayed on the display screen. Therefore, it is easy to improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage work of the items W.

[0056] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the control device 13 is configured to be able to change the orientation in which the status display image F, the position indication image G, and the projection image K are displayed on the display screen in accordance with instructions from the worker, and may also be configured to control the image display device 15 to display on the display screen a worker position image P indicating the standing position of the worker performing the stowage work.

[0057] According to this configuration, the orientation of each image on the display screen can be freely changed, so that each image can be displayed at an angle that is easy for the worker to see. Even if the orientation of each image displayed on the display screen is changed in this way, the worker's position in the image displayed on the display screen can be easily understood.

[0058] 12, in this embodiment, when the articles W are stacked on the support 2 in multiple tiers, the control device 13 may be configured to control the image display device 15 so that an image showing the article W included in the status display image F is displayed on the display screen in a different manner depending on which tier of the multiple tiers the article W belongs to. In the example shown in FIG. 12, both a side image (lower side of the paper in FIG. 12) represented in a side view and a planar image (upper side of the paper in FIG. 12) represented in a planar view corresponding to each layer formed by stacking the articles W are displayed on the display screen in sequence for each layer according to the progress of stacking, and a gradation form is shown in which the lower layers of the stacked articles W are darker in color.

[0059] According to this configuration, the worker can easily intuitively recognize the vertical position at which the target item is to be stacked by looking at the image displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the efficiency of the worker's work of stacking the items W can be improved.

[0060] In addition, the configurations disclosed in each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] 7. Summary of this embodiment The embodiment of the work assistance system described above will be summarized below.

[0062] The work support system is a work support system that supports a loading work in which the worker loads a plurality of items onto a support body capable of supporting the items by giving instructions to the worker, A projection device; A control device for controlling the projection device, The support or the item to be loaded on the support is the target item, The control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image indicating the loading position of the target item onto a projection target, which is at least one of the support body and the item already loaded on the support body.

[0063] According to this configuration, when a worker stacks a plurality of items on the support, the worker can easily recognize where the target items should be stacked by looking at the position indication image projected onto the projection target. Therefore, it is easy to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0064] Here, the article has a rectangular shape in a plan view, It is preferable that the control device controls the projection device to project, in addition to or together with the position indication image, a direction indicating image indicating the direction in which the long side of the target object in a planar view should be aligned onto the projection target.

[0065] According to this configuration, when stacking objects that are rectangular in plan view, the worker can easily recognize the direction in which to align the long side of the object in plan view by looking at the direction indicating image projected onto the projection target. This reduces the possibility that the worker will stack the object in the wrong direction, making it easier to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0066] In addition, the item to be loaded next to the target item is designated as the next target item, It is preferable that the control device controls the projection device to project, in addition to the position indication image, a next position indication image indicating the loading position of the next target item in a manner different from the position indication image onto the projection target.

[0067] According to this configuration, when a worker stacks a plurality of items on the support body, the worker can know in advance the stacking position of the next item to be stacked, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the worker can change the stacking order of the current target item and the next target item, which makes it easier to increase the worker's freedom of work.

[0068] It is also preferable that the control device controls the projection device to project onto the projection target at least one of a sequence display image indicating the stacking sequence of the target items among all the items to be stacked on the support, and the sequence display image of the items that have already been stacked.

[0069] According to this configuration, when a worker is loading multiple items onto a support body, the worker can easily grasp at least one of the following: the number of the current target item among all the items to be loaded onto the support body, and the loading order of each of the items already loaded.

[0070] It is also preferable that the control device sets a reference point on a support surface, which is a surface of the support that supports the multiple items, sets an X-axis and a Y-axis that run along a horizontal plane and intersect at the reference point, and controls the projection device to project a first reference line image positioned at a position overlapping with the X-axis when viewed in a vertical direction, and a second reference line image positioned at a position overlapping with the Y-axis when viewed in a vertical direction, onto the support and all of the items already loaded on the support.

[0071] According to this configuration, the first and second reference line images are projected onto the support surface of the support body or onto the upper surface of the article already stacked on the support surface, so that the worker can stack the article using the reference line images as a reference. Therefore, the worker can easily optimize the position at which the article is stacked.

[0072] The image display device further includes an image display device that displays an image on a display screen, It is preferable that the control device displays on the display screen a status display image, which is an image corresponding to the items already loaded on the support, and a position indication image indicating the loading position of the target item.

[0073] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can easily recognize where the target item should be stowed, and can also easily recognize the current status of the items already stowed on the support body. Therefore, it is easy to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage work.

[0074] It is also preferable that the image display device is controlled so as to display, on the display screen, a projected image corresponding to an image projected by the projection device onto the projection target, superimposed on the situation display image.

[0075] According to this configuration, since a projection image corresponding to the image projected by the projection device onto the projection target is also displayed on the display screen, the worker can recognize the image projected by the projection device onto the real projection target and the projection image displayed on the display screen in association with each other. Therefore, it is easy to further improve the efficiency of the stowage work of the worker.

[0076] It is also preferable that the control device controls the image display device to display on the display screen both three-dimensional images representing the situation display image, the position indication image, and the projection image in three dimensions, and planar images representing them in a two-dimensional view.

[0077] With this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stacked, as well as the current status of the items already stacked on the support body.

[0078] It is also preferable that the control device controls the image display device to make the position indication image an image of a shape corresponding to the actual target item, and to display on the display screen in different forms the image showing the items already loaded on the support, which is included in the status display image, and the position indication image.

[0079] According to this configuration, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stowed by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage work.

[0080] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device is configured to be able to change the orientation in which the status display image, the position indication image, and the projection image are displayed on the display screen in accordance with instructions from a worker, and controls the image display device to display on the display screen a worker position image indicating the standing position of the worker performing the stowage work.

[0081] According to this configuration, the orientation of each image on the display screen can be freely changed, so that each image can be displayed at an angle that is easy for the worker to see. Even if the orientation of each image displayed on the display screen is changed in this way, the worker's position in the image displayed on the display screen can be easily understood.

[0082] In addition, when the items are stacked on the support in multiple stages, It is preferable that the control device controls the image display device so that an image showing the item included in the status display image is displayed on the display screen in a different manner depending on which of multiple tiers the item belongs to.

[0083] According to this configuration, the worker can easily intuitively recognize the vertical position at which the target item is to be stacked by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's work of stacking items. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] The technology disclosed herein can be utilized in a stacking operation in which a plurality of articles are stacked on a support body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 100: Goods handling equipment 1: Work support system 2:Support 20: Placement table (support surface) 21: Peripheral wall part 21a: Side part 21b: Back part 22: Wheels for transportation 3: Loading section 4:Work area 5: Transport conveyor 6: Shipping area 7: Application device 8: Shipping conveyor 9: Storage department 10: First discharge conveyor 11: Second discharge conveyor 12: 3rd discharge conveyor 13: Control device 14: Projection device 15: Image display device A: Position indicator image B:Directional image C: X axis (first reference line image) D: Y axis (second reference line image) E: Intersection (reference point) F: Status display image G: Position indication image H: Image showing the loading order of the target items h: Image showing the order of items already loaded N:Next position indication image P: Worker position image W:Goods K: Projected image

Claims

1. A work support system that supports a worker in a stowage work in which the worker stows a plurality of items on a support body capable of supporting the items by giving instructions to the worker, A projection device; A control device for controlling the projection device, The support or the item to be loaded on the support is the target item, The control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image indicating the loading position of the target item onto a projection target, which is at least one of the support body and the item already loaded on the support body.

2. The article has a rectangular shape in a plan view, 2. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the projection device to project, onto the projection target, in addition to or together with the position indication image, a direction indication image indicating a direction in which a long side of the target object in a planar view should be aligned.

3. The item to be loaded next to the target item is designated as the next target item, 2. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the projection device to project, in addition to the position indication image, a next position indication image indicating a loading position of the next target item in a manner different from the position indication image onto the projection target.

4. 2. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the projection device to project onto the projection target at least one of an order display image indicating the stacking order of the target items among all the items to be stacked on the support, and the order display image of the items that have already been stacked.

5. 2. The work support system according to claim 1, wherein the control device sets a reference point on a support surface that is a surface of the support that supports the multiple items, sets an X-axis and a Y-axis that are along a horizontal plane and intersect at the reference point, and controls the projection device to project a first reference line image positioned at a position overlapping with the X-axis when viewed in a vertical direction and a second reference line image positioned at a position overlapping with the Y-axis when viewed in a vertical direction onto the entire support and the items already loaded on the support.

6. Further comprising an image display device for displaying an image on a display screen, The work support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device displays on the display screen a status display image corresponding to the items already loaded on the support body, and a position indication image indicating the loading position of the target item.

7. 7. The work support system according to claim 6, further comprising: controlling said image display device so as to display, on said display screen, a projected image corresponding to an image projected by said projection device onto said projection target, superimposed on said situation display image.

8. 8. The work support system according to claim 7, wherein the control device controls the image display device so as to display on the display screen both three-dimensional images representing the situation display image, the position indication image, and the projection image in three dimensions and planar images representing them in a planar view.

9. The work support system of claim 6, wherein the control device controls the image display device to make the position indication image an image having a shape corresponding to the actual target item, and to display on the display screen an image showing the items already loaded on the support, which is included in the status display image, and the position indication image in different forms.

10. 8. The work support system according to claim 7, wherein the control device is configured to be able to change orientations in which the situation display image, the position indication image, and the projected image are displayed on the display screen in accordance with instructions from a worker, and controls the image display device to display on the display screen a worker position image indicating a standing position of a worker performing the stowage work.

11. When the articles are stacked on the support in multiple stages, The work support system according to claim 6, wherein the control device controls the image display device so that an image showing the item included in the status display image is displayed on the display screen in a different manner depending on which of a plurality of tiers the item belongs to.

Images