Conveying facility

Abstract

To provide a conveying facility that can easily grasp the state of wireless communication between a conveying vehicle and a wireless communication device.SOLUTION: A conveying facility 100 includes a conveying vehicle 1 that conveys a conveyed object along a moving path, a wireless communication device 3 that performs wireless communication with the conveying vehicle 1, and a moving body 2 that moves separately from the conveying vehicle 1. The moving body 2 includes a communication state information collection device 21 that collects communication state information that is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the conveying vehicle 1 and the wireless communication device 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying facility including a carrier for conveying an object to be conveyed and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the carrier.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a conveying facility including a carrier (12) for conveying an object to be conveyed and a wireless communication device (8) that performs wireless communication with the carrier. Note that the reference numerals shown in parentheses in the description of the background art are those of Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, wireless communication is generally more susceptible to the influence of the surrounding environment such as obstacles and radio wave interference than wired communication. Therefore, in order to make the wireless communication environment good, it is desirable to grasp the state of wireless communication between the carrier and the wireless communication device. By grasping the state of wireless communication between the carrier and the wireless communication device, for example, the restart of the wireless communication device, the change of the installation position, the replacement, etc. can be performed to maintain a good wireless communication environment. Note that the presence or absence and magnitude of the influence that wireless communication receives from the surrounding environment can change depending on changes in the layout and equipment configuration in the conveying facility. Therefore, grasping the state of wireless communication between the carrier and the wireless communication device may be necessary not only at the time of installation of the conveying facility but also thereafter. Therefore, it is desirable that the state of wireless communication between the carrier and the wireless communication device can be easily grasped.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to realize a conveying facility that can easily grasp the state of wireless communication between the carrier and the wireless communication device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the conveying facility is as follows: A carrier vehicle that conveys a conveyed object along a moving path, A conveying facility comprising a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the carrier vehicle, Further comprising a moving body that moves separately from the carrier vehicle, The moving body is provided with a communication state information collection device that collects communication state information, which is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device.

[0007] According to this characteristic configuration, communication state information, which is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device, can be collected by a moving body that moves separately from the carrier vehicle. As a result, based on the communication state information, the state of wireless communication between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device can be easily grasped. As a result, for example, it is possible to determine the quality of the wireless communication environment between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device and improve the wireless communication environment. In addition, according to this configuration, since the moving body moves separately from the carrier vehicle, communication state information can be collected without affecting the conveyance of the conveyed object by the carrier vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the transport facility 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport facility 100 includes a transport vehicle 1, a moving body 2, and a wireless communication device 3. In the present embodiment, the transport facility 100 includes a plurality of transport vehicles 1 and a plurality of moving bodies 2.

[0010] The transport vehicle 1 is configured to transport a transported object W (see FIG. 2) along a moving path P. The transported object W is, for example, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) that houses semiconductor wafers.

[0011] The moving body 2 is configured to move separately from the transport vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the moving body 2 is configured to be movable along a path different from the moving path P. In this example, the moving body 2 is an unmanned aerial vehicle configured to fly within a preset flight area A. In this example, at least one flight area A is set in the transport facility 100 so that at least one moving body 2 corresponds to one flight area A. Further, in this example, a standby unit 20 where the moving body 2 as an unmanned aerial vehicle takes off and lands and the landed moving body 2 waits is provided in the transport facility 100. It is preferable that a charging device for charging the battery included in the moving body 2 is provided in the standby unit 20.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the transport facility 100 further includes a rail 4 extending along the moving path P. And the transport vehicle 1 is configured to travel on the rail 4. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a pair of rails 4 are suspended and supported from the ceiling at intervals in the horizontal direction. That is, in this example, the transport vehicle 1 is a ceiling transport vehicle.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 1 includes a traveling unit 11 that travels along the moving path P and a main body unit 12 connected to the traveling unit 11.

[0014] The running unit 11 is provided with running wheels 11a that roll on the running surface (here, the upper surface) of the rail 4. The running wheels 11a are rotationally driven by a running drive unit (for example, an electric motor such as a servo motor) (not shown).

[0015] The main body 12 is suspended and supported by the running unit 11 while being located below the rail 4. The main body 12 includes a support unit that is supported by the running unit 11 so as to be movable up and down and suspends and supports the conveyed object W, and a lifting unit that raises and lowers the support unit (illustration is omitted).

[0016] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the carrier 1 is a ceiling carrier that runs along a rail 4 suspended and supported from the ceiling, but the type of the carrier 1 is not limited to this. For example, the carrier 1 may be a rail-guided carrier that runs along a rail provided on the floor surface. Further, the carrier 1 may be a non-rail-guided carrier such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) or an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot). When the carrier 1 is a non-rail-guided carrier, the carrier 1 runs along a moving path P that is virtually formed, rather than a moving path P physically formed using a rail or the like. In this case, the moving path P is virtually formed so as to connect a plurality of detected objects (for example, two-dimensional codes, RF (Radio Frequency) tags, etc.) installed on the floor surface. Note that such detected objects may not be provided on the floor surface, and the moving path P may be virtually formed based on a route calculated based on the recognition result of the surrounding environment.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the moving path P includes one main path Pa formed in a ring shape, a plurality of sub-paths Pb formed in a ring shape each passing through a plurality of processing devices 5, and a plurality of connection paths Pc connecting the main path Pa and the plurality of sub-paths Pb.

[0018] The processing device 5 is a device for performing a predetermined process on the conveyed object W (or the object accommodated in the conveyed object W). For example, the conveyed object W to be processed by the processing device 5 is carried into the processing device 5 by the transport vehicle 1, and the conveyed object W for which the process in the processing device 5 has been completed is carried out of the processing device 5 by the transport vehicle 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication device 3 is a device that performs wireless communication with the transport vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 3 includes a plurality of wireless transmission / reception units 31 that are distributed and arranged (see also FIG. 1). The wireless transmission / reception unit 31 functions as an access point in wireless communication. In the present embodiment, the wireless transmission / reception unit 31 is installed at a plurality of locations along the movement path P in the transport facility 100. Here, in the present application, "wireless communication" refers to communication according to a predetermined wireless communication standard (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), etc.).

[0020] In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 1 further includes a transport vehicle communication device 13 that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 3.

[0021] The transport vehicle communication device 13 functions as a wireless station that performs wireless communication with the wireless transmission / reception unit 31. The transport vehicle communication device 13 is communicably connected to the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C by establishing a communication link with the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C (for example, the wireless transmission / reception unit 31 having the strongest radio wave intensity) selected from the plurality of wireless transmission / reception units 31. As the transport vehicle 1 travels, the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C with which the transport vehicle communication device 13 provided on the transport vehicle 1 establishes a communication link is switched (roamed). For example, when the reception intensity of the radio wave from the currently connected connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C becomes equal to or lower than a specified value, the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C is switched.

[0022] Thus, in the present embodiment, each of the plurality of transport vehicles 1 is communicably connected to the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C selected from the plurality of wireless transmission / reception units 31, and moves along the movement path P while switching the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C.

[0023] The mobile body 2 is provided with a communication state information collection device 21. The communication state information collection device 21 is a device that collects communication state information i. The communication state information i is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the carrier vehicle 1 and the wireless communication device 3 (for example, radio wave intensity, magnitude of electromagnetic noise, data retransmission rate, success or failure of wireless communication, etc.). In the present embodiment, the communication state information collection device 21 is a radio wave receiving device capable of receiving radio waves of wireless communication between the carrier vehicle 1 and the wireless communication device 3.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the mobile body 2 further includes a mobile body communication device 22. The mobile body communication device 22 is a "communication device" that performs wireless communication with the communication target O. The communication target O is at least one of the wireless communication device 3 and the carrier vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the communication target O is the wireless communication device 3.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the conveyance facility 100 further includes a carrier vehicle control device 6 and a mobile body control device 7.

[0026] The carrier vehicle control device 6 is a device that communicates with each of the plurality of carrier vehicles 1 via the wireless communication device 3 and controls the plurality of carrier vehicles 1. In the present embodiment, the carrier vehicle control device 6 is connected to a plurality of wireless transmission / reception units 31 via a communication network N. The communication network N may be any of wired, wireless, or a combination thereof.

[0027] Also, in the present embodiment, a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation (traveling operation, delivery operation of the conveyed object W, etc.) is provided in the carrier vehicle 1. Then, the carrier vehicle control device 6 communicates with the carrier vehicle communication device 13 of the carrier vehicle 1 via the wireless communication device 3 and issues a command regarding the above operation to the control unit of the carrier vehicle 1.

[0028] The mobile body control device 7 is a device that controls the mobile body 2. The mobile body control device 7 may be incorporated in, for example, a tablet terminal or may be incorporated in a controller operated by an operator. In the present embodiment, the mobile body 2 is provided with a control unit (not shown) for controlling its operations (such as a moving operation (in this example, a flying operation), an operation of collecting communication state information i by the communication state information collecting device 21, etc.). Then, the mobile body control device 7 performs wireless communication with the mobile body communication device 22 of the mobile body 2 and issues commands regarding the above operations to the control unit of the mobile body 2.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the mobile body 2 is configured to recognize its current position. Then, the mobile body control device 7 acquires position information indicating the current position of the mobile body 2 from the mobile body 2. Further, the mobile body control device 7 acquires the communication state information i collected by the communication state information collecting device 21 from the mobile body 2 and stores it in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the mobile body control device 7 in association with the above position information.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the mobile body communication device 22 is configured to execute a load application process. Then, the communication state information collecting device 21 collects the communication state information i during the execution of the load application process. The load application process is a process of performing communication with the communication target O (here, the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C of the wireless communication device 3) so as to increase the communication load of the communication target O. In the present embodiment, as the load application process, the mobile body communication device 22 transmits a large amount of load data d to the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C.

[0031] In the load application process, the communication speed in the wireless communication between the mobile communication device 22 and the connection destination transceiver 31C is set in advance to a sufficiently large value, and the communication volume of the load data d per unit time may be calculated as the maximum measured value of the communication speed in the wireless communication between the carrier vehicle communication device 13 and the connection destination transceiver 31C. When there are a plurality of mobile bodies 2, the mobile communication device 22 of one mobile body 2 may perform a process of transmitting a large amount of load data d to the mobile communication device 22 of another mobile body 2, and the communication volume of the load data d per unit time in this process may be calculated as the maximum measured value of the communication speed in the wireless communication between the carrier vehicle communication device 13 and the connection destination transceiver 31C. In such a case, since wireless communication is generally performed on a common channel, the communication speed in the wireless communication performed by the mobile communication device 22 can be treated as equivalent to the communication speed in the wireless communication between the carrier vehicle communication device 13 and the connection destination transceiver 31C.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, while the mobile body 2 moves along the rail 4, the communication state information collection device 21 collects the communication state information i. In this example, while the mobile body 2 moves in a state adjacent to the carrier vehicle 1 related to the communication state information i to be collected, the communication state information i is collected by the communication state information collection device 21.

[0033] 〔Other Embodiments〕 (1) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the mobile body 2 moves along the rail 4 and the communication state information collection device 21 collects the communication state information i has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the mobile body 2 may move near the wireless transceiver 31 related to the communication state information i to be collected, and the communication state information i may be collected by the communication state information collection device 21.

[0034] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the moving body 2 can move along a path different from the movement path P of the carrier vehicle 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the moving body 2 may move along the movement path P of the carrier vehicle 1 (for example, a vehicle traveling on the rail 4). Note that such a moving body 2 may normally convey the conveyed object W in the same manner as the carrier vehicle 1, or may be a dedicated one that does not convey the conveyed object W but collects the communication state information i.

[0035] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the communication target O is the wireless communication device 3 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the communication target O may be the carrier vehicle 1 instead of the wireless communication device 3, or the communication target O may be both the wireless communication device 3 and the carrier vehicle 1.

[0036] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the movement control device 7 issues a command to the control unit of the moving body 2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the movement control device 7 may be incorporated into each of the plurality of moving bodies 2, and the plurality of moving bodies 2 may operate independently of each other or cooperate with each other.

[0037] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the moving body communication device 22 transmits a large amount of load data d to the connection destination transmission / reception unit 31C as a load application process has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the moving body communication device 22 may be configured to generate electromagnetic noise as a load application process. In this configuration, when there are a plurality of moving bodies 2, the communication state information collection device 21 of another moving body 2 may collect the communication state information i.

[0038] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless transmission / reception unit 31 is installed at a plurality of locations along the movement path P in the conveyance facility 100 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, at least one of the plurality of wireless transmission / reception units 31 may be mounted on the moving body 2. As a result, when the conveyance vehicle communication device 13 is unable to perform wireless communication with the wireless transmission / reception units 31 installed at a plurality of locations along the movement path P due to weak radio wave intensity or the like, it becomes possible to perform wireless communication with the wireless transmission / reception unit 31 mounted on the moving body 2.

[0039] (7) Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations as well, all the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0040] [Summary of this embodiment] Hereinafter, an overview of the conveyance facility described above will be described.

[0041] The conveyance facility includes a conveyance vehicle that conveys a conveyed object along a movement path, and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the conveyance vehicle, and is a conveyance facility further including a moving body that moves separately from the conveyance vehicle, and the moving body is provided with a communication state information collection device that collects communication state information, which is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device.

[0042] According to this configuration, communication state information, which is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device, can be collected by a moving body that moves separately from the conveyance vehicle. As a result, based on the communication state information, the state of wireless communication between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device can be easily grasped. Consequently, for example, it is possible to determine the quality of the wireless communication environment between the conveyance vehicle and the wireless communication device and to improve the wireless communication environment. Moreover, according to this configuration, since the moving body moves separately from the carrier vehicle, communication state information can be collected without affecting the conveyance of the conveyed object by the carrier vehicle.

[0043] Here, the moving body further includes a communication device that performs wireless communication with at least one communication target among the wireless communication device and the carrier vehicle. The communication device is configured to execute a load application process of performing communication with the communication target so as to increase the communication load of the communication target. It is preferable that the communication state information collection device collects the communication state information during the execution of the load application process.

[0044] According to this configuration, communication state information can be collected in an environment where wireless communication between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device is severe. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine the quality of the wireless communication environment between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device, and it is possible to more appropriately improve the wireless communication environment.

[0045] Furthermore, it further includes a rail extending along the movement path. The carrier vehicle is configured to travel on the rail. The moving body is configured to be movable along a path different from the movement path, and it is preferable to collect the communication state information by the communication state information collection device while moving along the rail.

[0046] According to this configuration, since the moving body can move along a path different from the movement path of the carrier vehicle, communication state information can be collected efficiently. Moreover, according to this configuration, since the moving body collects communication state information while moving along the rail that constitutes the movement path of the carrier vehicle, communication state information indicating a state close to the actual wireless communication between the carrier vehicle and the wireless communication device can be collected.

[0047] Moreover, a plurality of the carrier vehicles, A carrier control device that communicates with each of the plurality of carriers via the wireless communication device and controls the plurality of carriers is further provided. The wireless communication device includes a plurality of wireless transmission / reception units that are distributed and arranged. Each of the plurality of carriers is preferably communicably connected to a connection destination transmission / reception unit selected from the plurality of wireless transmission / reception units, and moves along the movement path while switching the connection destination transmission / reception unit.

[0048] According to this configuration, a plurality of wireless transmission / reception units are distributed and arranged. And, while the plurality of carriers move along the movement path, they connect to a connection destination transmission / reception unit selected from the plurality of wireless transmission / reception units and perform wireless communication with the connection destination transmission / reception unit. Therefore, the state of wireless communication is likely to change depending on both location and time. According to this configuration, by collecting communication state information by such a moving body, it becomes possible to appropriately grasp the state of wireless communication that is likely to change depending on location and time.

Industrial Applicability

[0049] The technology according to the present disclosure can be used in a conveyance facility including a carrier that conveys a conveyed object and a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the carrier.

Explanation of Signs

[0050] 100: Conveyance facility 1: Carrier 2: Moving body 21: Communication state information collection device 22: Moving body communication device (communication device) 3: Wireless communication device 31: Wireless transmission / reception unit 31C: Connection destination transmission / reception unit 4: Rail 6: Carrier control device 7: Movement control device W: Conveyed object P: Movement path O: Communication target i: Communication state information

Claims

1. A conveying facility comprising a carrier for conveying a conveyed object along a movement path, and a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication with the carrier, further comprising a moving body that moves separately from the carrier, wherein the moving body is provided with a communication state information collection device that collects communication state information, which is information indicating the state of wireless communication between the carrier and the wireless communication device.

2. The moving body further comprises a communication device that performs wireless communication with at least one communication target, which is the wireless communication device and / or the carrier, wherein the communication device is configured to execute a load application process of communicating with the communication target so as to increase the communication load of the communication target, and the communication state information collection device collects the communication state information during the execution of the load application process. The conveying facility according to Claim 1.

3. The conveying facility further comprises a rail extending along the movement path, wherein the carrier is configured to travel on the rail, and the moving body is configured to be movable along a path different from the movement path, and collects the communication state information by the communication state information collection device while moving along the rail. The conveying facility according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The conveying facility further comprises a plurality of the carriers, and a carrier control device that communicates with each of the plurality of carriers via the wireless communication device and controls the plurality of carriers, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a plurality of wireless transmission / reception units arranged dispersedly, and each of the plurality of carriers is communicably connected to a connection destination transmission / reception unit selected from the plurality of wireless transmission / reception units, and moves along the movement path while switching the connection destination transmission / reception unit. The conveying facility according to Claim 1 or 2. ​ ​

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