Industrial Equipment

Abstract

To provide an industrial device that can ensure that a person in charge is witnessing a device even if the operation of the device is changed remotely.SOLUTION: An industrial device includes a control unit that controls each mechanism of the industrial device, a display setting unit for displaying settings and guidance related to operations, and a communication apparatus. The control unit is configured to switch to an operation change authentication state according to a setting by an operation of the display setting unit, generate a first authentication code in the operation change authentication state, display the first authentication code on the display setting unit, compare a second authentication code input via the communication apparatus with the first authentication code, switch to an operation change permission state if they match, and change the operation of the industrial device based on an operation change command by remote operation input via the communication apparatus in the operation change permission state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to industrial equipment, and more particularly to remotely controlling the operation of industrial equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various systems have been proposed that connect industrial equipment to the Internet and allow remote monitoring and remote operation over the Internet. Industrial equipment is pre-installed with programs that can perform multiple operations, and the operation of the equipment can be changed by operating the operation panel on the equipment. However, it is not desirable to give the authority to change the operation to the user who actually uses the equipment, as this could lead to unauthorized use of the equipment or abnormal operation. In addition, it is time-consuming for the equipment administrator to operate the operation panel of the equipment to change the operation. For this reason, a system for remotely changing the operation over the network has been considered.

[0003] An example of an industrial device is an air shower device. The air shower device is installed at the entrance and exit of a clean room where semiconductors, precision machinery, etc. are manufactured, or food is processed, and uses an air jet to remove dust, pollen, etc. that adheres to the user. When using an air shower device, the user may be inside or around the device, and remotely changing the operation of the device without checking the inside and surrounding conditions in that state may involve danger, such as the user being trapped inside the device. Therefore, when changing the operation remotely, it is necessary to ensure that the user is not inside or around the device, and that a facility manager is present near the device during the operation of changing the operation.

[0004] Background art in this technical field includes Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a remote device operation device that has a control for permitting remote operation when the monitoring result by a sensor satisfies a predetermined operation permission condition so that a change in the operation of the device does not adversely affect users around the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-34957 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the control method described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for the sensor to completely detect the user, and there is a problem in that increasing the detection precision in order to detect the user accurately leads to an increase in the cost of the device.

[0007] The object of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and is to provide industrial equipment that can ensure that a person in charge is present at the equipment even when changes to the equipment's operation are made remotely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As one example, the present invention provides an industrial device equipped with a control unit that controls each mechanism of the industrial device, a display setting unit for setting and displaying guidance regarding operation, and a communication device, in which the control unit switches to an operation change authentication state by setting through operation of the display setting unit, generates a first authentication code in the operation change authentication state, displays the first authentication code on the display setting unit, compares a second authentication code input via the communication device with the first authentication code, and if they match, switches to an operation change permitted state, and in the operation change permitted state changes the operation of the industrial device based on an operation change command input via the communication device by remote operation. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide industrial equipment that ensures the safety of the user during remote operation change work by ensuring that a person in charge is present at the equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of the air shower device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining remote control of the air shower device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a process flowchart for changing the operation of the air shower apparatus by remote control in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a process flowchart for changing the operation of the air shower apparatus by remote control in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment will be described using an air shower apparatus as an example of an industrial apparatus. EXAMPLES

[0012] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of the air shower apparatus of this embodiment. In Fig. 1, the air shower apparatus 1 includes an air shower room 10, and is composed of an antechamber door 2, a clean room door 3, side walls 11 and 12 on both sides, and a ceiling (not shown). Air jet mechanisms 11a and 12a are installed on the side walls 11 and 12 of the air shower room 10, respectively, and the air jet mechanisms are driven and controlled by a control unit 5 to spray air jets.

[0013] The control unit 5 is provided to control the entire air shower device, and receives detection signals from the door switches of the front room side door 2 and the clean room side door 3, the human detection sensor, and the door lock release switch 4 to drive and control the air jet mechanism and operate the air jet. The control unit 5 is connected to a network (not shown) by a communication device 6. In this embodiment, the control unit 5 and the communication device 6 are provided inside the side wall 11 to make the entire device compact, but they may be provided on the other side wall 12 or externally. The control unit 5 can be realized by a PLC or a microprocessor, and has programs installed therein that can perform a number of operations.

[0014] The display setting section 7 is installed on the side wall 11 and is provided for making settings related to the operation of the air shower apparatus and for displaying precautions (guidance) for the user, etc. The network is like a cloud, and allows the status of the air shower apparatus to be checked and its operation to be changed remotely from a computer or the like connected to the same network.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the remote operation of the air shower apparatus in this embodiment. In Fig. 2, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. In Fig. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes devices to be controlled by the control unit 5, such as the air jet mechanism of the air shower apparatus and the door lock control device. Reference numeral 20 denotes a network, such as a cloud, connected to the communication device 6 of the control unit 5. In addition, a user 100 is a person who actually uses the air shower apparatus 1 and moves between the antechamber side and the clean room side, a person in charge 101 is a person who inspects and maintains the air shower apparatus 1, and a manager 102 is a person who manages the operating status of the entire building including the air shower apparatus 1 and allows users to use the air shower apparatus optimally, and a maintenance person of the air shower apparatus manufacturer.

[0016] In this embodiment, a manager 102 remotely controls the operation of air shower apparatus 1 while a person in charge 101 is present at air shower apparatus 1. The details of the operation will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a process flow chart for remotely changing the operation of the air shower apparatus in this embodiment. In FIG. 3, first, in step S11, the person in charge 101 requests the manager 102 in advance that he / she wishes to change the operation. Then, in step S12, the person in charge 101 operates the display setting unit 7 of the air shower apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the apparatus) to change the apparatus to an operation change authorized state. The operation for changing the operation change authorized state is allowed only to an authorized person of the person in charge 101 or higher, and the user 100 is not allowed to make any changes. For this purpose, for example, the operation of the display setting unit 7 is restricted by a password known only to an authorized person of the person in charge 101 or higher. The person in charge 101 notifies the user 100 in advance that the operation of the apparatus will be changed, and the safety of the user can be ensured by the person in charge 101 being present during the change work.

[0018] In step S13, the control unit 5 switches the device to the operation change authentication state in response to the operation change authentication state change operation by the person in charge 101, and stops the operation control of the device so that the air jet is not operated between the operation change authentication state and the operation change permission state described below. Then, the front room side of the air shower door is always open, and the clean room side is always closed. This makes it possible to perform the change work without trapping people inside the air shower room 10 while preventing dust from flowing out into the clean room side. Even in this case, both doors can be opened by pressing the door lock release switch 4 provided on the air shower device, so people will not be trapped in the clean room side.

[0019] Next, in step S14, the control unit 5 generates an authentication code in response to switching to the operation change authentication state or in accordance with the operation of the display setting unit 7 by the person in charge 101. Then, the control unit 5 displays the generated authentication code on the display setting unit 7. Note that the authentication code generated by the control unit 5 is like a password composed of a plurality of numbers and / or character strings, but is not limited to this, and other configurations may be used as long as the authentication difficulty is similar.

[0020] Next, in step S15, the person in charge 101 checks the authentication code displayed on the display setting unit 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and transmits the authentication code to the administrator 102. The method of transmission may be oral communication by telephone, e-mail, or the like, or may be transmission via the communication device 6 of the device. Next, in step S16, the administrator 102 receives the authentication code, and in step S17, the administrator 102 transmits the received authentication code from the network 20 to the control unit 5 via the communication device 6 of the device. Note that, if the network 20 is a cloud, the administrator 102 inputs the received authentication code into the cloud, and the cloud program transmits it to the control unit 5 via the communication device 6 of the device. In step S18, the control unit 5 receives the authentication code, and in step S19, the control unit 5 compares the received authentication code with the generated authentication code, and if they match, in step S20, the control unit 5 switches to an operation change permission state, making it possible to accept an operation change command from the administrator 102.

[0021] Here, when multiple air shower devices are installed in the same location, there is a possibility that there will be a misunderstanding between the person in charge 101 and the manager 102 about the device in question when trying to change its operation at the same time. By providing an authentication code, therefore, even if the person in charge 101 miscommunicates the authentication code or the manager 102 enters the authentication code into the wrong device, authentication is not possible, so that it is possible to prevent the device where the misunderstanding has occurred from transitioning to a state where operation changes are permitted.

[0022] In step S21, the administrator 102 transmits an operation change command by remote operation to the control unit 5 of the device from the network 20. In step S22, the control unit 5 receives the operation change command. In step S23, since the control unit 5 is in an operation change permission state, the control unit 5 changes the operation of the device to one of the multiple programs preinstalled in the control unit 5 in response to the received operation change command, and changes the operation of the device. In step S24, the administrator 102 monitors the operation of the device, and transmits an end command for the operation change permission state by remote operation from the network 20 after confirming that the operation change has been completed. In step S25, the control unit 5 receives the operation change permission state end command, and in step S26, the control unit 5 changes the device to a standby state. Note that the operation change authentication state and the operation change permission state can be ended even when the person in charge 101 operates the display setting unit 7 or presses the door lock release switch 4.

[0023] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide an industrial device that can ensure the safety of the user during remote operation by ensuring that a person in charge is present at the device. In addition, the use of an authentication code can prevent the user from operating the wrong device when operating multiple devices. EXAMPLES

[0024] In this embodiment, an industrial device that can guarantee that a person in charge is present at the device during remote operation without using the authentication code described in the first embodiment will be described.

[0025] Figure 4 is a process flow chart for changing the operation of the air shower apparatus by remote control in this embodiment. In Figure 4, the same processes as those in Figure 3 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted. Figure 4 differs from Figure 3 in that steps S13 to S19 are deleted, step S12 is changed to S31, and step S20 is changed to S32.

[0026] In FIG. 4, in step S31, the person in charge operates the display setting unit 7 of the air shower device (hereinafter simply referred to as the device) to set the device to change to an operation change permitted state. The operation to change to the operation change permitted state is allowed only to the person in charge 101 or higher, and the user 100 is not allowed to make the change. For this purpose, for example, the operation of the display setting unit 7 is restricted by a password known only to the person in charge 101 or higher. The person in charge 101 can ensure the safety of the user by informing the user 100 in advance that the operation change of the device will be carried out and being present during the change work. In step S32, the control unit 5 switches the device to the operation change permitted state in response to the person in charge's operation to switch to the operation change permitted state, and stops the operation control of the device so that the air jet is not operated while the operation change is permitted. Then, the front room side of the air shower door is always open, and the clean room side is always closed. This makes it possible to perform the change work without being trapped inside the air shower while preventing dust from flowing out to the clean room side. Even in this case, the doors on both sides can be opened by pressing the door lock release switch 4 on the air shower device, so no one will be trapped in the clean room.

[0027] Thereafter, in steps S21 to S26, the administrator 102 remotely changes the operation, and then the operation change permission state is ended and the device is changed to a standby state.

[0028] As for the timing of sending the operation change command by remote operation of the administrator 102 in step S21, since the person in charge 101 makes a request to the administrator 102 in advance in step S11 to change the operation, the command may be sent at a time agreed upon at that time, or it may be triggered by receiving a notification from the control unit 5 via the communication device 6 to the administrator 102 upon switching to the operation change permitted state in step S32.

[0029] In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide industrial equipment that can ensure the safety of the user during remote operation by ensuring that a person in charge is present at the equipment. Note that, when multiple devices are installed in the same location as in the first embodiment, it is not possible to prevent the operation of the wrong target when operating multiple devices, but when multiple devices are not installed in the same location, there is an effect that the work procedures of the person in charge or the administrator can be simplified.

[0030] As described above, the present invention provides an industrial device that can ensure the safety of users during remote operation. Therefore, the operation of the industrial device can be changed safely by remote control, which increases efficiency and reduces human resource costs. Therefore, the present invention contributes to achieving a high level of economic productivity through technological improvement and innovation in order to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in item 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth."

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described using an air shower device as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to industrial devices such as air compressors and inkjet printers. Furthermore, the present invention has been described in detail to make it easier to understand, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1: air shower device, 2: front room side door, 3: clean room side door, 4: door lock release switch, 5: control unit, 6: communication device, 7: display setting unit, 10: air shower room, 11, 12: side wall, 11a, 12a: air jet mechanism, 15: controlled device, 20: network, 100: user, 101: person in charge, 102: administrator (maintenance person)

Claims

1. An industrial device comprising a control unit for controlling each mechanism of the industrial device, a display setting unit for setting and displaying guidance related to operations, and a communication device, The control unit is Switching to an operation change authentication state by operating the display setting unit; generating a first authentication code in the operation change authentication state, displaying the first authentication code on the display setting unit, comparing a second authentication code input via the communication device with the first authentication code, and if the first authentication code matches the second authentication code, switching to an operation change permission state; In the operation change permitted state, the operation of the industrial device is changed based on an operation change command inputted by remote operation via the communication device.

2. 2. The industrial device according to claim 1, The control unit stops operation control of the industrial apparatus during the operation change authentication state and the operation change permission state.

3. 2. The industrial device according to claim 1, The control unit switches, in the operation change permitted state, to a standby state based on a command to end the operation change permitted state by remote control input via the communication device.

4. 2. The industrial device according to claim 1, The industrial device is characterized in that the setting by operating the display setting unit for switching to the operation change authentication state is restricted by a password.

5. 2. The industrial device according to claim 1, The industrial device is characterized in that the first authentication code is generated in response to switching to the operation change authentication state or in accordance with an operation of the display setting unit.

6. An industrial device comprising a control unit for controlling each mechanism of the industrial device, a display setting unit for setting and displaying guidance related to operations, and a communication device, The control unit is Switching to an operation change permission state by operating the display setting unit; In the operation change permitted state, changing the operation of the industrial device based on an operation change command inputted by remote operation via the communication device; The industrial device is characterized in that the setting by operating the display setting unit for switching to the operation change permission state is restricted by a password.

7. 7. The industrial apparatus according to claim 6, The control unit stops operation control of the industrial device while the operation change is permitted.

8. 7. The industrial apparatus according to claim 6, The control unit switches, in the operation change permitted state, to a standby state based on a command to end the operation change permitted state by remote control input via the communication device.

9. 2. The industrial device according to claim 1, The industrial device is an air shower device, The facility has an air shower room equipped with an air jet mechanism that sprays air jets at visitors, The control unit controls the operation of the air jet, and stops operational control of the air jet between the operation change authentication state and the operation change permission state.

10. 10. The industrial apparatus according to claim 9, the air shower room has a front room door, a clean room door and side walls on both sides, the air jet mechanism is installed on the side walls, The control unit keeps the front room door open and the clean room door closed during the operation change authentication state and the operation change permission state.

11. 7. The industrial apparatus according to claim 6, The industrial device is an air shower device, The facility has an air shower room equipped with an air jet mechanism that sprays air jets at visitors, The control unit controls the operation of the air jet, and stops operational control of the air jet while the operation change permission state is in effect.

12. 12. The industrial apparatus according to claim 11, the air shower room has a front room door, a clean room door and side walls on both sides, the air jet mechanism is installed on the side walls, The control unit, while in the operation change permitted state, keeps the front room door open and the clean room door closed.

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