Transport facility
The transport facility addresses communication failures by using an information collection device and a separate moving body to directly notify administrators of transport vehicle abnormalities, facilitating quick detection and efficient recovery processes.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024023704
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-02-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing transport facilities face issues where abnormality information from a transport vehicle is not properly transmitted to the administrator terminal due to poor communication between the controller and the transport vehicle, leading to undetected abnormalities that can affect the entire facility's operation.
A transport facility equipped with an information collection device on the transport vehicle, a separate moving body, and a communication system that allows the moving body to acquire and notify the administrator terminal of abnormality information directly, bypassing the primary communication system, and includes features for automatic and remote recovery processes.
Ensures quick detection and notification of transport vehicle abnormalities to the administrator, enabling efficient recovery processes without relying on the primary communication system, reducing labor and ensuring continuous facility operation.
Smart Images

Figure 2025127152000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a transport facility equipped with a transport vehicle for transporting an object. [Background technology]
[0002] An example of such a transport facility is the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6504266 (Patent Document 1). In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a controller (50) communicates with a transport vehicle (20) to cause the transport vehicle (20) to transport an object (90). Generally, in such a transport facility, various information is exchanged through communication between the controller and the transport vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6504266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Information transmitted and received between the controller and the transport vehicle may include abnormality information. For example, if a transport vehicle stops due to an abnormality (abnormal stop), it may hinder the operation of other following, normal transport vehicles. In such cases, an abnormality in one transport vehicle may affect the entire facility. For example, in a transport facility in which a controller controls the transport vehicles, as in Patent Document 1, when an abnormality occurs in a transport vehicle, information about the abnormality is usually notified from the transport vehicle to the controller, and then from the controller to an administrator terminal. This allows the administrator or other person to know that an abnormality has occurred in the transport vehicle. However, if communication between the controller and the transport vehicle is poor in the first place, information about the abnormality occurring in the transport vehicle is naturally not notified to the administrator terminal, and the administrator cannot know that the abnormality has occurred.
[0005] In view of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a technology that can appropriately detect abnormalities in transport vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A conveying facility equipped with a conveying vehicle that conveys an object, an information collection device mounted on the transport vehicle; a moving body that moves separately from the transport vehicle; a communication system for communicating between a transport control device that controls the transport vehicle and the transport vehicle; Equipped with The information collection device an abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires, when an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle, abnormality information including at least one of abnormality content information indicating the content of the abnormality, pre-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle before the abnormality occurs, and post-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle after the abnormality occurs; a first communication unit that transmits the abnormality information; Equipped with The moving body is a second communication unit that communicates with the first communication unit without going through the communication system to receive the anomaly information; a third communication unit that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality to an administrator terminal that can be viewed by an administrator who manages the transport vehicle; Equipped with.
[0007] According to this configuration, when an abnormality occurs in a transport vehicle, the mobile body acquires abnormality information indicating the cause of the abnormality and the state of the transport vehicle before and after the abnormality, and can notify the administrator terminal of the abnormality. Therefore, the administrator can quickly grasp that an abnormality has occurred in the transport vehicle. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the mobile body can receive abnormality information without going through a communication system, so even if communication via the communication system cannot be performed normally due to an abnormality in the transport vehicle, the mobile body can properly notify the administrator terminal of the abnormality. Therefore, regardless of the state of the communication system, the administrator can quickly grasp that an abnormality has occurred in the transport vehicle. As described above, according to this configuration, it is possible to properly grasp an abnormality in a transport vehicle.
[0008] Further features and advantages of the techniques according to the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the transport equipment [Figure 2] A diagram showing a transport vehicle and a moving body. [Figure 3] Conveyor system configuration diagram [Figure 4] Flowchart showing the procedure from when an abnormality occurs to when recovery processing is carried out DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The conveyance facility is a facility equipped with a conveyance vehicle for conveying an object to be conveyed. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the conveyance facility will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the transport facility 100 includes a transport room A1 in which the transport vehicle 1 transports the transported object W (see FIG. 2), and a control room A2 in which a control terminal 4 operated by a control room 40 (also referred to as "worker 40") is installed. The control room A2 is located outside the transport room A1. The control room A2 and the transport room A1 are configured so that the control room A2 and the transport room A1 can be moved back and forth. The control terminal 4 may be a mobile terminal that can be carried outside the control room A2.
[0012] The transfer facility 100 includes a plurality of transfer vehicles 1 that travel along a transfer path 9, and a transfer control device C1 (see FIG. 3) that controls the transfer vehicles 1. The transfer path 9 is provided in a transfer chamber A1.
[0013] In this embodiment, the movement path 9 is configured using rails 90 (see FIG. 2) provided near the ceiling. The transport vehicle 1 is configured as a so-called ceiling transport vehicle, and travels on the rails 90 along the movement path 9.
[0014] A plurality of transfer target locations 8 are provided along the movement path 9. The transfer target locations 8 include locations that are located below the movement path 9. The transport vehicle 1 is configured to transfer the transported article W (see FIG. 2) between the above-mentioned transfer target locations 8 by raising and lowering the transported article W.
[0015] Each of the multiple transport vehicles 1 is configured to receive a transport command from the transport control device C1 described above and execute a task according to the transport command. For example, the transport command includes information on the origin and destination of the transported object W. Upon receiving the transport command, the transport vehicle 1 transports the transported object W from the origin to the destination. The origin and destination include the transfer target location 8 described above.
[0016] There are various types of transported goods W that can be handled by the transport facility 100. In this example, the transport facility 100 is used in a semiconductor manufacturing factory. Therefore, the transported goods W may be substrate containers (so-called FOUPs: Front Opening Unified Pods) that store substrates (wafers, panels, etc.), reticle containers (so-called reticle pods) that store reticles, or magazines or trays. In this case, the transport vehicle 1 transports the transported goods W, such as the substrate container or reticle container, along the movement path 9 between each process.
[0017] In this embodiment, the transfer target location 8 includes a processing device 80 that performs processing on the transported object W, and a mounting table 81 arranged adjacent to the processing device 80. "Processing on the transported object" refers to processing on the objects (substrates or reticles) contained in the transported object W as a container. The transport vehicle 1 receives the transported object W that has been processed by the processing device 80 from the mounting table 81, or delivers the transported object W that has not been processed by the processing device 80 to the mounting table 81. The processing device 80 performs various processes, such as thin film formation, photolithography, and etching.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the transport vehicle 1 includes a traveling section 10 that travels along rails 90 that form the travel path 9, and a gripping section 11 that grips the transported object W. This enables the transport vehicle 1 to transport the transported object W and transfer the transported object W to and from a transfer target location 8. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 1 includes a lifting section 12 that raises and lowers the gripping section 11. This enables the transport vehicle 1 to transfer the transported object W to and from a transfer target location 8 that is located below the travel path 9.
[0019] Here, an abnormality may occur in the transport vehicle 1. An abnormal state includes a state in which normal operation of the transport vehicle 1 cannot be maintained, or a state in which maintaining normal operation is inappropriate. For example, abnormalities in the transport vehicle 1 itself include abnormal operation of the traveling unit 10, abnormal operation of the gripping unit 11, and abnormal operation of the lifting unit 12. Furthermore, abnormalities related to the transport vehicle 1 include an abnormality in the transported object W being held by the transport vehicle 1 (for example, in the case of a FOUP, the lid is not completely closed), the presence of an obstacle around the travel path 9, and the like. Hereinafter, these various abnormalities may be simply referred to as "abnormalities."
[0020] When such an abnormality occurs, a notification of the abnormality is usually given by the transport vehicle 1. Upon receiving the notification of the abnormality, the upper control system or the manager 40 identifies the cause of the abnormality and takes measures to address the abnormality.
[0021] However, even if an abnormality occurs, if the communication system is not functioning normally, the notification of the abnormality from the transport vehicle 1 may not be properly transmitted to the upper control system or the manager 40. In this case, the manager 40 cannot grasp the abnormality that has actually occurred.
[0022] Therefore, the transportation facility 100 according to the present disclosure includes an information collection device 2 mounted on the transportation vehicle 1 and a mobile body 3 that moves separately from the transportation vehicle 1. The information collection device 2 is configured to collect information about abnormalities. The mobile body 3 is configured to acquire information from the information collection device 2, and, if an abnormality occurs, to notify the abnormality on behalf of the transportation vehicle 1. This allows for appropriate notification of the abnormality even if the communication system related to the transportation vehicle 1 is not functioning normally. This will be explained in detail below.
[0023] 3, the transport facility 100 includes a host controller Ct that manages all functional units within the facility, a transport controller C1 that controls the transport vehicle 1, a mobile body control system C3 that controls the mobile body 3, and an administrator terminal 4. The host controller Ct, the transport controller C1, the mobile body control system C3, and the administrator terminal 4 are all connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so that they can communicate with each other. The mobile body control system C3 may be configured with a single controller, or may include controllers (not shown) mounted on each of the multiple mobile bodies 3.
[0024] The transport facility 100 includes a first communication system T1 for communication between the transport control device C1 and the transport vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the transport facility 100 includes a second communication system T2 for communication between the mobile body control system C3 and the mobile body 3. In this embodiment, the first communication system T1 corresponds to the "communication system."
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the transport control device C1 and the transport vehicle 1 are configured to communicate via an access point AP (see also FIG. 2). Communication between the transport control device C1 and the access point AP is achieved by wired or wireless means. In this example, the access point AP and the transport vehicle 1 are configured to communicate wirelessly. For example, they communicate via Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this way, a first communication system T1 is constructed by the communication mode between the transport control device C1 and the transport vehicle 1 via the access point AP. Although detailed illustration is omitted, access points AP are arranged at multiple locations in the transport room A1 (see FIG. 1).
[0026] The mobile object control system C3 and the mobile object 3 are configured to communicate with each other via an access point AP. The communication between the mobile object control system C3 and the access point AP is realized by wired or wireless means. In this example, the access point AP and the mobile object 3 are configured to perform wireless communication. For example, the two perform Wi-Fi communication. In this manner, a second communication system T2 is established by the communication between the mobile object control system C3 and the mobile object 3 via the access point AP.
[0027] The transport vehicle 1 is equipped with a detection unit 13 that detects abnormalities. In this embodiment, the detection unit 13 detects abnormalities related to each functional unit provided in the transport vehicle 1. For example, the detection unit 13 is configured to detect various abnormalities such as an abnormality related to the traveling unit 10, an abnormality related to the gripping unit 11, an abnormality related to the lifting unit 12, and the like.
[0028] An abnormality related to the traveling unit 10 includes malfunction of the wheels of the traveling unit 10. For example, in a mode in which the current position of the transport vehicle 1 is recognized based on the number of rotations of the wheels of the traveling unit 10, if the wheels spin freely on the rails 90, the current position of the transport vehicle 1 recognized for control purposes will differ from the actual current position of the transport vehicle 1.
[0029] Abnormalities related to the gripping unit 11 include malfunctions of the gripping unit 11 as well as abnormalities occurring in the transported object W that is to be gripped. For example, an abnormality related to the gripping unit 11 occurs when the lid of a FOUP, which is the transported object W, is not completely closed.
[0030] An abnormality related to the lifting / lowering unit 12 includes a malfunction of the belt of the lifting / lowering unit 12. For example, an abnormality related to the lifting / lowering unit 12 occurs when the belt of the lifting / lowering unit 12 is stuck and cannot move, or when there is an obstacle in the movement trajectory of the gripping unit 11 being raised and lowered by the lifting / lowering unit 12.
[0031] The information collection device 2 is equipped with an abnormality information acquisition unit 22 that acquires abnormality information I when an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle 1, including at least one of abnormality content information indicating the content of the abnormality, pre-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle 1 before the abnormality occurred, and post-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle 1 after the abnormality occurred, and a first communication unit 21 that transmits the abnormality information I.
[0032] The abnormality content information is information indicating each type of abnormality as described above. The pre-abnormality information is a log or the like indicating the state of each part of the transport vehicle 1 for a certain period of time before the abnormality occurred. The post-abnormality information is a log or the like indicating the current state of each part of the transport vehicle 1 after the abnormality occurred. The abnormality information I includes at least one of the abnormality content information, the pre-abnormality information, and the post-abnormality information.
[0033] In this embodiment, the abnormality information acquisition unit 22 is configured to acquire abnormality information I from the detection unit 13 of the transport vehicle 1. With the above configuration, the abnormality information I indicating an abnormality in the transport vehicle 1 is collected by the information collection device 2 and transmitted to the outside by the first communication unit 21 of the information collection device 2. Therefore, the abnormality information I can be transmitted to the outside via a communication path separate from the first communication system T1.
[0034] In this embodiment, the information collection device 2 includes a power storage device 20 and is configured to operate even when there is no power supply from the transport vehicle 1. This allows the information collection device 2 to operate appropriately regardless of the type of abnormality that occurs in the transport vehicle 1. For example, the power storage device 20 may be charged using the regenerative braking of the transport vehicle 1, or may be charged in advance or periodically by a charging device provided separately from the transport vehicle 1.
[0035] The mobile object 3 is configured to travel on a floor surface 7 (see also FIG. 2 ) and is configured as a so-called AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) in this embodiment. The mobile object 3 includes a second communication unit 32 that receives abnormality information I by communicating with the first communication unit 21 without going through the first communication system T1, and a third communication unit 33 that sends an abnormality occurrence notification N, which is a notification of the occurrence of an abnormality, to an administrator terminal 4 that can be viewed by an administrator 40 (see FIG. 1 ) who manages the transport vehicle 1. This allows the abnormality occurrence notification N to be sent to the administrator terminal 4, enabling the administrator 40 to grasp the occurrence of the abnormality. The second communication unit 32 and the third communication unit 33 may be the same or different in terms of hardware or software.
[0036] In this embodiment, the abnormality occurrence notification N includes, in addition to information indicating that an abnormality has occurred, location-related information related to the location where the abnormality has occurred, and if the abnormality information I includes abnormality content information, it also includes the abnormality content information. The location-related information is information indicating the current location of the transport vehicle 1 in which the abnormality has occurred. However, the location-related information may also include identification information of the transport vehicle 1, and may also include current location information and identification information of the moving object 3.
[0037] In this embodiment, the first communication unit 21 of the information collection device 2 and the second communication unit 32 of the mobile object 3 are configured to perform short-range wireless communication. For example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used as short-range wireless communication. However, Wi-Fi communication can also be used.
[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second communication distance L2, which is the communication distance between the first communication unit 21 (information collection device 2) and the second communication unit 32 (mobile body 3), is shorter than the first communication distance L1, which is the communication distance between the transport vehicle 1 and the first communication system T1 (access point AP). The mobile body control system C3 is configured to cause the mobile body 3 to patrol an area corresponding to the movement route 9 of the transport vehicle 1. The "area corresponding to the movement route 9" is set, for example, to an area whose distance from the movement route 9 (specifically, the movement trajectory of the transport vehicle 1 along the movement route 9) is equal to or shorter than the second communication distance L2.
[0039] In this embodiment, the mobile body control system C3 causes the mobile body 3 to patrol the floor 7 of the transport room A1 (see FIG. 1). When the mobile body 3 discovers a transport vehicle 1 that is recognized to be experiencing an abnormality through patrol or in response to a command from the mobile body control system C3, the mobile body 3 approaches the transport vehicle 1 to a distance where it can communicate with the transport vehicle 1 (second communication distance L2). Then, the mobile body 3 communicates with the information collection device 2 mounted on the transport vehicle 1 to acquire abnormality information I.
[0040] Here, if an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle 1, a recovery process is required to restore the transport vehicle 1 to normal operation.
[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the mobile object 3 further includes a fourth communication unit 34 that communicates with the transport vehicle 1, and a command output unit 35 that communicates with the transport vehicle 1 via the fourth communication unit 34 and outputs an operation command Od to the transport vehicle 1. This allows the mobile object 3 to prompt the transport vehicle 1 to perform some kind of operation. In this embodiment, the operation command Od includes a recovery operation command for recovering the transport vehicle 1 from an abnormal state. This makes it possible to restore the transport vehicle 1 in which an abnormality has occurred to normal operation.
[0042] In this embodiment, the recovery process includes an automatic recovery process, which is a process for recovering the transport vehicle 1 without the intervention of the operator 40 who operates the administrator terminal 4.
[0043] The automatic recovery process is executed on the condition that the details of the abnormality that has occurred in the transport vehicle 1 are clear and the importance of the abnormality is low. The importance of the abnormality may be set in advance for each type of abnormality. The importance of the abnormality is included in the abnormality information I. Such abnormality information I is updated daily. The abnormality information I can be updated by remote distribution from the administrator terminal 4 to the mobile object 3, which allows the recovery process to be updated remotely.
[0044] In this embodiment, the command output unit 35 generates a recovery operation command and outputs the recovery operation command to the guided vehicle 1. For example, the command output unit 35 is provided with an automatic recovery program that determines the content of the recovery operation command based on the abnormality information I received by the second communication unit 32. Then, the command output unit 35 outputs a recovery operation command (operation command Od) with the content determined using the automatic recovery program to the guided vehicle 1. In this manner, the automatic recovery process is executed. In the automatic recovery process, for example, if an abnormality occurs in which the guided vehicle 1 cannot recognize its own position, the command output unit 35 transmits position information of the guided vehicle 1 to the guided vehicle 1. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in which the gripper 11 of the guided vehicle 1 cannot properly grip the transported object W, the command output unit 35 transmits a signal to the guided vehicle 1 to cause it to redo the gripping operation. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the detector 13 of the guided vehicle 1, the command output unit 35 transmits a signal to the guided vehicle 1 to restart the detector 13. By executing the automatic recovery process as described above, the degree to which the worker 40 is involved in the recovery work can be reduced.
[0045] In this embodiment, the recovery process includes a remote recovery process, which is a process for remotely recovering the transport vehicle 1 at the will of the worker 40 who operates the manager terminal 4.
[0046] The remote recovery process is executed on the condition that the details of the abnormality that has occurred in the transport vehicle 1 are clear and the severity of the abnormality is medium.
[0047] In this embodiment, the recovery operation command generated by the manager terminal 4 is transmitted to the mobile body 3 via the mobile body control system C3. Then, the recovery operation command (operation command Od) is output from the mobile body 3 to the transport vehicle 1. In this manner, the remote recovery process is executed. By executing the remote recovery process, the degree to which the worker 40 is involved in the recovery work can be relatively reduced.
[0048] In this embodiment, the restoration process includes an on-site restoration process, which is a process in which the operator 40 restores the transport vehicle 1 through work on-site.
[0049] The on-site restoration process is executed on the condition that the nature of the abnormality occurring in the transport vehicle 1 is unknown or the nature of the abnormality is of high importance.
[0050] In this embodiment, the mobile body 3 issues a worker call notification (see also FIG. 4 ) to the manager terminal 4 to call the worker 40 to the site. As a result, the worker 40 heads to the site where the transport vehicle 1 experiencing the abnormality is located and performs appropriate work for the recovery process. In this manner, the on-site recovery process is executed. The on-site recovery process requires the worker 40 to enter the transport chamber A1 (see FIG. 1 ) to perform on-site work, which can be time-consuming for the worker 40. However, the on-site recovery process has the advantage that it allows the worker 40 to perform the recovery process with high accuracy and makes it easy to respond to uncertain events that may occur.
[0051] In this embodiment, the mobile object 3 includes a display device 30 (see also FIG. 2 ) that displays information and a display control device 301 that controls the display device 30. When the display control device 301 receives anomaly information I via the second communication unit 32, the display control device 301 generates information indicating at least one of the details of the anomaly and a recovery procedure from the anomaly based on the received anomaly information I, and displays the information on the display device 30. The information indicating the details of the anomaly generated by the display control device 301 may be the same as the anomaly information included in the anomaly information I, or may be anomaly information modified for display. The information indicating the recovery procedure generated by the display control device 301 is information indicating instructions to the worker 40 who will perform the recovery work. With the above configuration, when the worker 40 performs on-site recovery processing, the worker 40 can perform the recovery work based on the information displayed on the display device 30. Note that, although detailed illustration is omitted, the mobile object 3 is preferably configured to be able to hold a camera for capturing images of the surrounding area of the site and devices and tools necessary for the recovery work at the site. This allows the worker 40 to appropriately check the site situation and to procure devices and tools necessary for the recovery work on-site. This reduces the burden on the worker 40. The moving body 3 may be configured to receive the transported article W from the transport vehicle 1 as needed, either in conjunction with the recovery work or regardless of the recovery work. Furthermore, the moving body 3 may be configured to transport the transported article W received from the transport vehicle 1 in place of the transport vehicle 1.
[0052] Figure 4 shows the procedure from when an abnormality occurs to when recovery processing is carried out.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, when an abnormality occurs (#1), the information collecting device 2 acquires abnormality information I (#2). The information collecting device 2 transmits the abnormality information I to the mobile object 3 (#3). The mobile object 3 receives the abnormality information I from the information collecting device 2 (#4) and sends an abnormality occurrence notification N to the administrator terminal 4 (#5).
[0054] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not automatic recovery processing is possible (#6), and if possible (#6: Yes), automatic recovery processing is executed (#7).
[0055] On the other hand, if automatic recovery processing is not possible (#6: No), a determination is made as to whether remote recovery processing is possible (#8). If remote recovery processing is possible (#8: Yes), remote recovery processing is executed (#9).
[0056] On the other hand, if remote recovery processing is not possible (#8: No), a call notification is sent to the worker (#10), which prompts the worker 40 to head to the site where the abnormal transport vehicle 1 is located, and on-site recovery processing is performed (#11).
[0057] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments will be described.
[0058] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the abnormality occurrence notification N includes abnormality content information when the abnormality information I includes the abnormality content information. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and even if the abnormality information I includes abnormality content information, the abnormality occurrence notification N does not necessarily have to include the abnormality content information.
[0059] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the moving body 3 is configured as a so-called AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot). However, the moving body 3 is not limited to such an example, and may be a tracked vehicle, an AGV, a drone, or the like.
[0060] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the transport vehicle 1 is configured as a so-called overhead transport vehicle. However, the transport vehicle 1 is not limited to such an example, and may be a rail-guided vehicle, an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle), an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot), or the like.
[0061] (4) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. 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.
[0062] [Summary of this embodiment] The summary of this embodiment will be described below.
[0063] A conveying facility equipped with a conveying vehicle that conveys an object, an information collection device mounted on the transport vehicle; a moving body that moves separately from the transport vehicle; a communication system for communicating between a transport control device that controls the transport vehicle and the transport vehicle; Equipped with The information collection device an abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires, when an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle, abnormality information including at least one of abnormality content information indicating the content of the abnormality, pre-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle before the abnormality occurs, and post-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle after the abnormality occurs; a first communication unit that transmits the abnormality information; Equipped with The moving body is a second communication unit that communicates with the first communication unit without going through the communication system to receive the anomaly information; a third communication unit that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality to an administrator terminal that can be viewed by an administrator who manages the transport vehicle; Equipped with.
[0064] According to this configuration, when an abnormality occurs in a transport vehicle, the mobile body acquires abnormality information indicating the cause of the abnormality and the state of the transport vehicle before and after the abnormality, and can notify the administrator terminal of the abnormality. Therefore, the administrator can quickly grasp that an abnormality has occurred in the transport vehicle. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the mobile body can receive abnormality information without going through a communication system, so even if communication via the communication system cannot be performed normally due to an abnormality in the transport vehicle, the mobile body can properly notify the administrator terminal of the abnormality. Therefore, regardless of the state of the communication system, the administrator can quickly grasp that an abnormality has occurred in the transport vehicle. As described above, according to this configuration, it is possible to properly grasp an abnormality in a transport vehicle.
[0065] Preferably, the abnormality occurrence notification includes, in addition to information indicating that the abnormality has occurred, location-related information relating to the location where the abnormality has occurred, and, if the abnormality information includes the abnormality content information, the abnormality content information.
[0066] According to this configuration, the content of the abnormality notification sent to the administrator terminal includes location-related information, and if the abnormality information includes abnormality content information, the abnormality content information is also included. Therefore, the administrator can quickly grasp not only that an abnormality has occurred in the transport vehicle, but also information related to the location where the abnormality occurred. Furthermore, if the abnormality information includes abnormality content information, the administrator can also quickly grasp information regarding the content of the abnormality that has occurred in the transport vehicle.
[0067] The moving body is a fourth communication unit that communicates with the transport vehicle; a command output unit that communicates with the transport vehicle via the fourth communication unit and outputs an operation command to the transport vehicle; Further provided with The operation command preferably includes a recovery operation command for recovering the transport vehicle from the abnormal state.
[0068] According to this configuration, the recovery process for the abnormal transport vehicle can be performed using the moving body, thereby reducing the labor required by the operator to recover the abnormal transport vehicle.
[0069] Preferably, the command output unit includes an automatic recovery program that determines the content of the recovery operation command based on the abnormality information received by the second communication unit.
[0070] According to this configuration, the mobile unit can automatically perform recovery processing for a transport vehicle that has experienced an abnormality, thereby significantly reducing the labor required by the operator to perform recovery processing for a transport vehicle that has experienced an abnormality.
[0071] Preferably, the information collection device includes a power storage device and is configured to operate even when there is no power supply from the transport vehicle.
[0072] According to this configuration, the information collection device can be operated appropriately regardless of the type of abnormality that occurs in the transport vehicle. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle, the abnormality information can be acquired and transmitted with high reliability.
[0073] the moving body includes a display device that displays information and a display control device that controls the display device; It is preferable that when the display control device receives the abnormality information via the second communication unit, it generates information indicating at least one of the content of the abnormality and the procedure for recovery from the abnormality based on the received abnormality information and displays the information on the display device.
[0074] According to this configuration, the worker performing recovery work on a transport vehicle that has experienced an abnormality can check the information displayed on the display device of the moving body, making it easier for the worker to perform the recovery work.
[0075] a mobile object control system for controlling the mobile object; a communication distance between the first communication unit and the second communication unit is shorter than a communication distance between the transport vehicle and the communication system; The mobile object control system preferably causes the mobile object to circulate in an area corresponding to the travel route of the transport vehicle.
[0076] According to this configuration, even if the communication distance between the moving body and the transport vehicle is short, if an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle, abnormality information can be appropriately acquired and an abnormality occurrence notification can be sent. Also, according to this configuration, communication between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, which has a relatively short communication distance, can be realized using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). Therefore, power consumption can be reduced compared to when using a device that performs long-distance communication, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). [Industrial Applicability]
[0077] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a transport facility equipped with a transport vehicle that transports an object. [Explanation of symbols]
[0078] 100:Transportation equipment 1: Transport vehicle 2: Information gathering device 20: Power storage device 21: First Communications Department 22: Abnormality information acquisition unit 3: Moving object 30:Display device 301: Display control device 32: Second Communication Department 33: Third Communications Department 34: 4th Communications Department 35: Command output section 4: Administrator terminal 40:Administrator 9: Travel route C1: Transport control device C3: Mobile control system T1: First communication system (communication system) W: Transported item I: Abnormal information N: Abnormality notification Od: Operation command
Claims
1. A conveying facility equipped with a conveying vehicle that conveys an object, an information collection device mounted on the transport vehicle; a moving body that moves separately from the transport vehicle; a communication system for communicating between a transport control device that controls the transport vehicle and the transport vehicle; Equipped with The information collection device an abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires, when an abnormality occurs in the transport vehicle, abnormality information including at least one of abnormality content information indicating the content of the abnormality, pre-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle before the abnormality occurs, and post-abnormality information indicating the state of the transport vehicle after the abnormality occurs; a first communication unit that transmits the abnormality information; Equipped with The moving body is a second communication unit that communicates with the first communication unit without going through the communication system to receive the anomaly information; a third communication unit that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality to an administrator terminal that can be viewed by an administrator who manages the transport vehicle; A conveying facility comprising:
2. 2. The conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality occurrence notification includes, in addition to information indicating that the abnormality has occurred, location-related information relating to the location where the abnormality has occurred, and, if the abnormality information includes the abnormality content information, the abnormality content information.
3. The moving body is a fourth communication unit that communicates with the transport vehicle; a command output unit that communicates with the transport vehicle via the fourth communication unit and outputs an operation command to the transport vehicle; Further provided with The transport facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation command includes a recovery operation command for recovering the transport vehicle from the abnormal state.
4. The transport facility according to claim 3 , wherein the command output unit includes an automatic recovery program that determines the content of the recovery operation command based on the abnormality information received by the second communication unit.
5. The transportation facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information collection device includes a power storage device and is configured to operate even when there is no power supply from the transportation vehicle.
6. the moving body includes a display device that displays information and a display control device that controls the display device; The conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the display control device receives the abnormality information via the second communication unit, the display control device generates information indicating at least one of the content of the abnormality and the procedure for recovery from the abnormality based on the received abnormality information, and displays the information on the display device.
7. a mobile object control system for controlling the mobile object; a communication distance between the first communication unit and the second communication unit is shorter than a communication distance between the transport vehicle and the communication system; The transport facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile object control system causes the mobile object to circulate in an area corresponding to a travel route of the transport vehicle.
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