INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND MaaS PROVIDING METHOD

Abstract

To provide a technology for efficiently performing maintenance of eVTOLs.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 11 that controls an assembly line for assembling new eVTOL airframes. Upon acquiring information on a target airframe to be maintained, the control unit 11 controls the assembly line so as to perform both the assembly work of new airframes and the maintenance work of the target airframe on the assembly line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and a MaaS providing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Support for aircraft maintenance has been known in the past. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a flight operation support system that identifies the replacement timing of aircraft parts based on the cumulative flight time of the aircraft or the cumulative engine operating time, and determines the timing of ordering the parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-066358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Compared to aircraft, there are many eVTOLs in operation. eVTOL stands for electric Vertical Take Off and Landing. Because eVTOLs have a short flight time per flight and are flown many times, there is a possibility that aircraft maintenance will be required more frequently. For this reason, there is a demand for technology to efficiently perform eVTOL maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device according to the present disclosure is an information processing device that includes a control unit that controls an assembly line for a new eVTOL aircraft, and when the control unit acquires information about the aircraft to be maintained, it controls the assembly line so that both assembly work for the new aircraft and maintenance work for the aircraft are performed on the assembly line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide technology for efficiently carrying out maintenance of eVTOLs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a work section in a first period according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a work section in a second period according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a new aircraft transported on the assembly line in a second period and an aircraft to be maintained in the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0009] The configuration of a system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and a terminal device 20. The information processing device 10 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 20 via a network 30. Although Fig. 1 shows only one terminal device 20, the number of terminal devices 20 included in the system 1 is not limited to this.

[0010] The information processing device 10 is a computer installed in a facility such as a data center. The information processing device 10 is, for example, a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. The information processing device 10 may be used by a manager who manages an assembly line. The assembly line is installed, for example, indoors or outdoors in a production factory. On the assembly line, assembly work of new eVTOL aircraft is carried out.

[0011] The terminal device 20 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The terminal device 20 includes a control unit, a communication unit, and an output unit. The terminal device 20 may be installed in a factory where an assembly line is installed. The terminal device 20 may also be a computer installed on the assembly line.

[0012] Network 30 may include the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 30 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0013] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 controls an assembly line for a new eVTOL aircraft. When the information processing device 10 acquires information about a target aircraft to be maintained, it controls the assembly line so that both assembly work for the new aircraft and maintenance work for the target aircraft are performed on the assembly line.

[0014] An eVTOL has a cabin roughly the same size as a passenger car, capable of accommodating one or more passengers, and a mechanism including a rotor for generating lift and thrust. Compared to conventional aircraft, eVTOLs have shorter flight distances and can accommodate fewer passengers, so they are expected to fly more frequently within a certain period of time. Accordingly, eVTOLs often require maintenance, such as repairs. In this embodiment, in addition to new eVTOL aircraft, eVTOL aircraft to be serviced are transported to an assembly line for new eVTOL aircraft and serviced there. According to this embodiment, both assembly work and maintenance work for new aircraft can be performed on a single assembly line, eliminating the need for a separate line dedicated to maintenance, thereby reducing costs. Therefore, it is possible to provide a technology for efficiently performing eVTOL maintenance.

[0015] The configuration of an information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an input unit 14, and an output unit 15.

[0016] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. An example of the programmable circuit is an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. An example of the dedicated circuit is an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 11 controls each unit of the information processing device 10 and executes processing related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0017] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. Flash memory is, for example, an SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. Magnetic memory is, for example, an HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 12 functions, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0018] The communication unit 13 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module that complies with a wired LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE802.11. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 13 communicates with devices other than the information processing device 10. The communication unit 13 receives information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0019] The input unit 14 is, for example, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, a visible light camera, a depth camera, LiDAR, or a microphone. "LiDAR" is an abbreviation for light detection and ranging. The input unit 14 accepts an operation to input data used for the operation of the information processing device 10. The input unit 14 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external input device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As a connection interface, an interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI (registered trademark)" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

[0020] The output unit 15 is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electroluminescent. The output unit 15 outputs data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10. The output unit 15 may be connected to the information processing device 10 as an external output device instead of being provided in the information processing device 10. As a connection interface, an interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0021] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as the control unit 11. That is, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by executing the operations of the information processing device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0022] The program can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and ROMs. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0023] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes something equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that specify computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0024] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be realized by hardware.

[0025] The operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The operation described below corresponds to the assembly line control method according to this embodiment. That is, the control method according to this embodiment includes steps S1 to S11 shown in Fig. 2. In the following, it is assumed that communication between the information processing device 10 and external devices is performed via the communication unit 13 and the network 30.

[0026] In S1 of FIG. 2, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires information about the target aircraft to be serviced. The information includes the maintenance work required for the target aircraft. The information may also include the date and time the target aircraft was brought into storage. The control unit 11 may acquire the information by reading it from the memory unit 12, or by receiving it from an external server device. In this example, the information includes "repainting" and "propeller part replacement" as maintenance work for the target aircraft.

[0027] In S2, the control unit 11 acquires information about the assembly work of a new aircraft on the assembly line. The control unit 11 acquires this information by reading it from the memory unit 12. Specifically, this information includes the total time required for the assembly work of the new aircraft on the assembly line, the time required for each of the multiple assembly processes into which the assembly work is divided, and the multiple work sections that make up the assembly line. The information also includes each of the multiple assembly processes assigned to two or more work sections and the workers who perform each assembly process. Specifically, the multiple assembly processes include processes related to welding the eVTOL frame, processes related to assembling the frame, processes related to painting, processes related to installing the propeller, motor, battery, control system, etc., processes related to installing the seat, and processes related to installing the seat surface material. The assembly processes are not limited to these and may include any process, such as a process related to a final operational check of the new aircraft. In this embodiment, the period during which only the new aircraft is transported on the assembly line and only the assembly work consisting of the multiple assembly processes is performed is referred to as the first period. On the other hand, as will be explained below, the period in which both the new aircraft and the aircraft to be maintained are transported on the assembly line and both assembly work and maintenance work are carried out is called the second period.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram partially illustrating an example of work sections of an assembly line in a first period. Referring to FIG. 3, assembly processes P1 to P7 and workers W1 to W7 are assigned to work sections A to G, respectively. In work section A, worker W1 performs assembly process P1, and in work section B, worker W2 performs assembly process P2. Similarly, in work section C and beyond, each worker performs their own assembly process. The assembly line transports new units to the next work section at predetermined intervals in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3. Specifically, new units on the belt conveyor provided on the assembly line are transported from one work section to the next by rotating the rollers of the belt conveyor by a predetermined angle.

[0029] In S3 of FIG. 2, the control unit 11 calculates the total required time for the maintenance work based on the information acquired in S1. Any method may be used for the calculation. For example, the control unit 11 refers to information in which each maintenance work is previously associated with its required time, and calculates the total required time by adding up the required times. This information may be set in advance and stored in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 may accept user input of the required times for the maintenance work via the input unit 14, and calculate the total required time by adding up the required times. In this example, the information acquired in S1 indicates that the required time for "repainting" is 30 minutes and the required time for "propeller part replacement" is 10 minutes. The control unit 11 adds up 30 minutes and 10 minutes to calculate 40 minutes as the total required time for the maintenance work.

[0030] In S4, the control unit 11 determines whether the time required for the entire maintenance work calculated in S3 exceeds a predetermined threshold. If it exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 proceeds to S5. If it does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 proceeds to S8. The predetermined threshold is the maximum value among the times required for each of the multiple assembly processes indicated by the information acquired in S2. However, the predetermined threshold is not limited to this, and may be a value that is set in advance and stored in the memory unit 12. In this example, the predetermined threshold is "20 minutes," and the total time required for the maintenance work calculated in S3 is 40 minutes. Because the total time required for the maintenance work exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 proceeds to S5.

[0031] In S5, the control unit 11 divides the maintenance work included in the information acquired in S1 into two or more maintenance processes. Any method may be used for the division. For example, if the information acquired in S1 includes multiple maintenance works, the control unit 11 first divides each of the multiple maintenance works into a separate maintenance process. In this example, the control unit 11 divides the maintenance works of "repainting" and "propeller part replacement" included in the information acquired in S1 into separate maintenance processes R1 and R2.

[0032] In S6, the control unit 11 determines whether the time required for each maintenance process exceeds a predetermined threshold. If it exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 proceeds to S7. If it does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 proceeds to S8. In this example, the maintenance process R1 for "repainting" takes 10 minutes, and the maintenance process R2 for "replacing propeller parts" takes 30 minutes. Since the time required for the maintenance process R2 for "replacing propeller parts" is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold of 20 minutes, the control unit 11 proceeds to S7.

[0033] In S7, the control unit 11 further divides the maintenance process whose required time exceeds a predetermined threshold. The control unit 11 then returns to S6. In this example, the control unit 11 further divides the maintenance process R1 for "propeller part replacement" into two maintenance processes: a maintenance process R2A for "first propeller part replacement" and a maintenance process R2B for "second propeller part replacement." As a result, the control unit 11 generates the maintenance process R1 for "repainting," the maintenance process R2A for "first propeller part replacement," and the maintenance process R2B for "second propeller part replacement." Because the required times for each maintenance process are 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and 15 minutes, respectively, which do not exceed the predetermined threshold of 20 minutes, the control unit 11 returns to S6 and then proceeds to S8.

[0034] As shown in S4 to S7, the control unit 11 divides the maintenance work into two or more maintenance steps so that the time required for each maintenance step does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0035] In S8, the control unit 11 assigns the maintenance work indicated by the information acquired in S1, or each of two or more maintenance processes, to a work section. The control unit 11 may acquire information indicating the work section where the tools or resources used in the maintenance work or each of the divided maintenance processes are deployed, and assign the maintenance work or maintenance processes based on that information. That information may be set in advance and stored in the memory unit 12. In this example, the control unit 11 assigns the maintenance process R1 of "repainting" to work section B, the maintenance process R2A of "first propeller part replacement" to work section C, and the maintenance process R2B of "second propeller part replacement" to work section D.

[0036] As shown in S1 to S8, the control unit 11 allocates maintenance work or maintenance processes that are less than a predetermined threshold to work sections. This prevents the required time for a certain maintenance work or maintenance process from exceeding the predetermined threshold and becoming a bottleneck on the assembly line. In other words, it prevents the speed of the assembly line in the second period from becoming slower than that in the first period. In this way, the control unit 11 controls the assembly line by allocating work on the assembly line so as not to change the conveying speed of the assembly line between the first period, in which only new aircraft are transported on the assembly line and only assembly work is performed, and the second period, in which both new aircraft and target aircraft are transported on the assembly line and both assembly work and maintenance work are performed. This enables smooth maintenance even when an aircraft requiring maintenance is transported to the assembly line.

[0037] In S9, the control unit 11 further acquires worker information indicating whether each worker has a qualification for maintenance. The control unit 11 may acquire the worker information by reading it from the storage unit 12, or by receiving it from an external server device. In this example, the worker information indicates that worker W8 and worker W9 are qualified to perform maintenance for replacing propeller parts.

[0038] In S10, the control unit 11 assigns workers to each of two or more work sections based on the worker information. In this example, the control unit 11 assigns workers W8 and W9 to work section C, which is assigned a maintenance process R2A for replacing a part of a first propeller, and work section D, which is assigned a maintenance process R2B for replacing a part of a second propeller. FIG. 4 is a diagram partially illustrating an example of work sections in an assembly line in a second period. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second period, maintenance processes R1, R2A, and R2B are assigned to work sections B to D in addition to the assembly processes P2, P3, and P4 assigned in the first period. In the second period, workers W8 and W9 are newly assigned to work sections C and D. In the second period, workers W2, W8, and W9 perform the assembly process when a new aircraft is transported to their corresponding work sections, and perform the maintenance process when an aircraft to be maintained is transported. It should be noted that while the aircraft to be maintained is being transported through a work section other than the work section to which the maintenance process is assigned, the workers assigned to that work section do not need to perform any particular work.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the assembly or maintenance process performed by each worker in each work section of the assembly line from time t1 to t7 during the second period. The assembly line transports new aircraft and aircraft to be maintained, passing through work sections A to G in order at predetermined intervals. In this example, the first aircraft to be maintained is transported to the assembly line at time t1, followed by the first new aircraft at time t2 and the second new aircraft at time t3. Then, the second aircraft to be maintained is transported at time t4, and the third to fifth new aircraft are transported at times t5 to t7, respectively. The first and second aircraft to be maintained undergo the same maintenance process. In FIG. 5, the first and second aircraft to be maintained are denoted by Y1 and Y2, respectively. The first to fifth new aircraft are denoted by X1 to X5, respectively. In FIG. 5, the symbol "-" indicates that no work is being carried out in that work section.

[0040] In S11 of FIG. 2, the control unit 11 outputs information indicating the assembly process, the maintenance work or maintenance process, and the work section in the second time period to which the worker is assigned. The control unit 11 may output the information by communicating with a terminal device 20 provided on the assembly line and transmitting the information to the terminal device 20. In this case, the terminal device 20 may display the received information on a display serving as an output unit provided in the terminal device 20. By viewing the display, the worker can know the work section to which he or she is assigned in the second time period and the assembly process and maintenance process to be performed. The control unit 11 may output the information by transmitting it to the terminal device 20 used by the manager of the assembly line. The control unit 11 stores the information in the memory unit 12. Thereafter, the operation of the information processing device 10 ends.

[0041] If the information regarding the target aircraft for maintenance acquired in S1 includes the date and time of entry of the target aircraft into the warehouse, the control unit 11 may set the date and time of entry as the start date and time of the second period. In this case, the control unit 11 may output date and time information indicating the start date and time together with information indicating the work section in the second period.

[0042] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagram may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps shown in the flowchart in chronological order as described, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step or as needed. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment may be used to provide MaaS (Mobility as a Service), a service utilizing mobility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 System 10. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 14 Input section 15 Output section 20 Terminal equipment 30 Network

Claims

1. An information processing device including a control unit that controls an assembly line for a new eVTOL aircraft, The control unit When information on the target aircraft to be maintained is acquired, the assembly line is controlled so that both the assembly work of the new aircraft and the maintenance work of the target aircraft are performed on the assembly line. Information processing device.

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The control unit controls the assembly line so as not to change the conveying speed of the assembly line during a first period in which only a new aircraft is transported on the assembly line and only the assembly work is performed, and a second period in which both the new aircraft and the target aircraft are transported on the assembly line and both the assembly work and the maintenance work are performed.

3. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, the assembly of the new airframe is divided into a plurality of assembly steps; the assembly line has a plurality of work sections to which the plurality of assembly processes are respectively assigned, The control unit Calculating the total required time for the maintenance work based on the information about the target aircraft; Dividing the maintenance work into two or more maintenance steps so that the required time for each maintenance step does not exceed a predetermined threshold; an information processing device that allocates the two or more maintenance processes to two or more work sections;

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, further comprising a storage unit that stores information indicating a required time for each of the plurality of assembly processes; The predetermined threshold value is a maximum value of the required time for each of the plurality of assembly processes.

5. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, The control unit further acquires worker information indicating whether or not each worker has a qualification for the maintenance, an information processing device that assigns workers to each of the two or more work sections based on the worker information;

6. A method for providing MaaS (Mobility as a Service) using the information processing device according to claim 1.

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