Support Equipment and Machine Systems

Abstract

This assistance device for assisting operations with respect to a plurality of machines is provided with: an information storage unit for storing machine information including at least one of maintenance history information, abnormality history information, and predicted service life information for each of the plurality of machines, in association with identification information of the machine; a criteria accepting unit for accepting search criteria for specifying desired machine information; and an information retrieval unit for comparing the search criteria accepted by the criteria accepting unit with the machine information stored in the information storage unit, and extracting the identification information of the machine corresponding to the machine information matching the search criteria.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistance device and a machine system. [Background technology]

[0002] In factories where a large number of production machines (hereinafter simply referred to as "machines") such as robots, machine tools, laser processing machines, wire electric discharge machines, or injection molding machines are used, workers who perform maintenance or inspection work on these machines typically investigate various information such as the maintenance history of the machines in the factory, abnormality history, or the predicted lifespan of the parts used in the machines, to identify in advance the machines they will be working on, and then locate the locations where the identified machines will be installed on site.

[0003] Furthermore, in recent years, in factories, communication networks have been constructed to connect a large number of installed machines, and the efficiency of management of each machine and of a production line including a large number of machines has been improved.

[0004] For example, a management system is known which includes a plurality of information output units provided in a plurality of devices, each of which outputs operating status information indicating the operating status of the corresponding device; a registration means for registering the operating status information output by the plurality of information output units; a worker terminal carried by a worker; a device position information providing means for providing the worker terminal with device position information indicating the position of the device corresponding to the operating status information when the operating status information is registered in the registration means; a terminal position calculation means for calculating terminal position information indicating the position of the worker terminal; and a display means provided in the worker terminal for displaying on a map the device position represented by the device position information provided by the device position information providing means and the worker terminal position represented by the terminal position information calculated by the terminal position calculation means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] For example, there is known a management device that centrally manages machine information including at least specification information and maintenance information of all industrial machines installed in a factory, the management device comprising a memory unit and a control unit, the memory unit stores location information of all industrial machines installed in the factory and machine information of all industrial machines, the specification information including at least hardware specifications, software specifications, network specifications, and version information related to the industrial machines, and the control unit comprises a factory layout providing unit that outputs factory layout information for displaying the layout status of the industrial machines in the factory based on the location information of the industrial machines stored in the memory unit, and a machine information providing unit that acquires from the memory unit machine information of the industrial machines selected via the output factory layout information, and outputs the acquired machine information in association with the selected industrial machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0006] For example, there is known a factory monitoring system including a data acquisition unit that acquires data regarding at least one machine, including time information, and a memory management unit that stores the data regarding each machine acquired by the data acquisition unit in a memory unit together with identification information of each machine, and a diagnostic service system that predicts the possibility of an abnormality occurring in the machine based on past history data regarding the machine and current data regarding the machine, and provides preventive maintenance information regarding the machine (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0007] For example, a process monitoring device for monitoring a process on a factory production line is known, which comprises an imaging means for imaging the operating state of the process, a memory for storing video data captured by the imaging means, an external input means for inputting a signal from a detection device installed on the production line as a trigger signal, and a storage processing means for saving, when the trigger signal is input, video data recorded in the memory that dates back more than a set time from the time the trigger signal was input as non-overwritable video data (see, for example, Patent Document 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-164598 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-016998 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2019-185292 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2016-122319 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In a factory with many machines, the series of tasks of identifying in advance the machines to be maintained or inspected and then searching for the installation locations of those machines on-site is a heavy burden. In particular, in recent years, the number and density of machines installed in factories have been increasing due to the progress of robotization of tasks previously performed by humans in factories and the miniaturization and diversification of machines. In addition, the workers who work on machines in factories are aging. In this situation, it is expected that the workload will continue to increase in the future. Therefore, there is a need for the development of technology that can reduce the workload of working on multiple machines installed in factories. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a Includes any of the following: robots, machine tools, laser processing machines, wire electric discharge machines, and injection molding machines Multiple Types The support device for supporting the work on the production machine includes a plurality of Typesthe system comprises an information storage unit that stores machine information including at least one of maintenance history information, abnormality history information, and predicted life information for each production machine in association with identification information of the production machine; a condition receiving unit that receives search conditions for specifying desired machine information; and an information retrieval unit that compares the search conditions received by the condition receiving unit with the machine information stored in the information storage unit and extracts the identification information of the production machine corresponding to the machine information that meets the search conditions; The machine information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification information further includes operation plan information for each of the multiple types of production machines, and the search conditions include a fact that the production machine is out of operation at the time when the search conditions are received by the condition receiving unit. do.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the machine system is installed in a factory. Includes any of the following: robots, machine tools, laser processing machines, wire electric discharge machines, and injection molding machines Multiple Types The production system includes a production machine and the support device, and the support device has an information acquisition unit that acquires machine information.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the machine system is installed in a factory. Includes any of the following: robots, machine tools, laser processing machines, wire electric discharge machines, and injection molding machines Multiple Types A production machine and the above-mentioned support device are provided, Types Each of the production machines has an information acquisition unit that acquires machine information. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the burden of work on multiple machines installed in a factory is reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an assistance device and machine system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an assistance device and a machine system according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] 1 is a flowchart showing a series of processes from receiving search conditions to displaying search results in the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a case where identification information is displayed as the search results. [Figure 3B]1 is a flowchart showing a series of processes from receiving search conditions to displaying search results in a support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a case where a map is displayed as the search results. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a series of processes from acquisition to storage of machine information in the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 1 is a diagram illustrating a first example of search conditions in the support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on a display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. [Figure 5B] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a first example of search conditions in the support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on a display unit, showing the search results. [Figure 6A] 13 is a diagram illustrating a second example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. [Figure 6B] 13 is a diagram illustrating a second example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search results. FIG. [Figure 7A] 13 is a diagram illustrating a third example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. [Figure 7B] 13 is a diagram illustrating a third example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing a search result based on a character string. FIG. [Figure 8A] 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. [Figure 8B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing a search result displayed on a map. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of search conditions in the support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. [Figure 9B]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing a search result displayed on a map. [Figure 10] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a case in which an assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured as a fixedly installed computer. [Figure 11] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an assistance device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure configured with a host computer and a mobile terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The support device and the machine system will be described below with reference to the drawings. The scale of the drawings is appropriately changed to facilitate understanding. The form shown in the drawings is one example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an assistance device and machine system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] A machine system 1000 is configured by an assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a plurality of machines 2.

[0018] A plurality of machines 2 are installed in the factory. The machines 2 include various types of production machines, such as a robot, a machine tool, a laser processing machine, a wire electric discharge machine, or an injection molding machine.

[0019] The support device 1 supports work by an operator on a plurality of machines 2. The support device 1 includes an information storage unit 11, a condition receiving unit 12, an information search unit 13, an information update unit 14, a display unit 15, a map generation unit 16, an input device 17, and an information acquisition unit 18.

[0020] An arithmetic processing device (processor) is provided in the support device 1. The arithmetic processing device has a condition receiving unit 12, an information search unit 13, an information update unit 14, a map generation unit 16, and an information acquisition unit 18. Each of these units of the arithmetic processing device is a functional module realized by, for example, a computer program executed on the processor. For example, when the condition receiving unit 12, the information search unit 13, the information update unit 14, the map generation unit 16, and the information acquisition unit 18 are constructed in the form of a computer program, the function of each unit can be realized by operating the arithmetic processing device according to the computer program. The computer program for executing each process of the condition receiving unit 12, the information search unit 13, the information update unit 14, the map generation unit 16, and the information acquisition unit 18 may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. Alternatively, the condition receiving unit 12, the information searching unit 13, the information updating unit 14, the map generating unit 16, and the information acquiring unit 18 may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit in which a computer program for realizing the functions of each unit is written.

[0021] The information storage unit 11 may be composed of an electrically erasable and recordable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark), or a high-speed read / write random access memory such as a DRAM or SRAM.

[0022] The information storage unit 11 stores machine information including at least one of maintenance history information, abnormality history information, and predicted life information for each of the multiple machines 2 in association with identification information of the machine 2, and creates a database.

[0023] The identification information is an identification ID assigned to each machine 2 in order to manage the machines 2, and is represented, for example, as a character string, a barcode, or a two-dimensional code. Note that, although the reference symbols for the identification information are represented as 22-1, 22-2, ..., 22-n (n is a natural number) in Fig. 1, they may be collectively represented as 22 in other drawings.

[0024] The machine information is information associated with each machine 2, and is stored in the information storage unit 11 in association with the identification information of the machine 2. The machine information includes, for example, maintenance history information, abnormality history information, predicted life information, and operation plan information for each of the multiple machines 2 (a schedule showing when the machines are operating and when they are stopped), but may also include other information. Note that in FIG. 1, the reference characters for the machine information are represented by 21-1, 21-2, ..., 21-n (n is a natural number), but these may also be collectively represented by 21. Specific examples of machine information and details of the process of acquiring the machine information will be described later.

[0025] The information acquisition unit 18 acquires machine information and identification information corresponding to the machine information. The machine information acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 is stored in the information storage unit 11 via the information update unit 14. The information acquisition unit 18 may acquire the machine information from the machine 2, or may acquire the machine information from the input device 17 operated by the worker.

[0026] The information update unit 14 updates the machine information already stored in the information storage unit 11 with the machine information acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 for a machine 2 among the multiple machines 2 for which maintenance or inspection work has been completed, a machine 2 among the multiple machines 2 for which an abnormality has occurred, and a machine 2 among the multiple machines 2 for which the predicted lifespan has been updated.

[0027] For example, when a worker completes maintenance work on a part of the machine 2, the worker inputs, via the input device 17, the identification information of the machine 2 for which the maintenance work has been completed and machine information (maintenance history information) relating to the work content and the work date. The information acquisition unit 18 acquires the identification information and the machine information (maintenance history information) from the input device 17, and the information update unit 14 updates the machine information (maintenance history information) corresponding to the identification information already stored in the information storage unit 11 to the machine information (maintenance history information) acquired by the information acquisition unit 18. As a result, the latest machine information (maintenance history information) of the machine 2 for which the work has been completed acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 is stored in the information storage unit 11 in association with the identification information. In this way, the burden on the worker in updating the machine information (maintenance history information) is small.

[0028] For example, when an abnormality occurs in the machine 2 and an alarm is output from the machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires identification information and machine information (abnormality history information) from the machine 2 in which the abnormality occurred, and the information update unit 14 updates the machine information (abnormality history information) corresponding to the identification information already stored in the information storage unit 11 to the machine information (abnormality history information) acquired by the information acquisition unit 18. As a result, the latest machine information (abnormality history information) of the machine 2 in which the abnormality occurred acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 is stored in the information storage unit 11 in association with the identification information. Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to update the machine information (abnormality history information), and the burden on the operator is reduced.

[0029] For example, when there is a machine 2 among the multiple machines 2 whose predicted life has been updated to the latest predicted life by a predicted life calculation unit (not shown), the information acquisition unit 18 acquires the identification information and machine information (predicted life information) from the machine 2 whose predicted life has been updated to the latest predicted life, and the information update unit 14 updates the machine information (predicted life information) corresponding to the identification information already stored in the information storage unit 11 to the machine information (predicted life information) acquired by the information acquisition unit 18. As a result, the latest machine information (predicted life information) about the machine 2 acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 is stored in the information storage unit 11 in association with the identification information. Therefore, the updating work of the machine information (predicted life information) by an operator is not required, and the burden on the operator is reduced.

[0030] The condition receiving unit 12 receives search conditions for the operator to specify desired machine information. The search conditions are input by the operator via the input device 17. Examples of the input device 17 include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and a voice recognition device attached to a computer or a mobile terminal. The touch panel has the functions of both the display unit 15 and the input device 17.

[0031] The search conditions are used to specify the identification information of the machine 2 that the worker wishes to obtain using the support device 1. For example, if the worker wishes to search for a machine 2 that has completed battery replacement by a certain date, the worker sets information on the "date the battery was replaced" as the search conditions. Hereinafter, "date" may include the concepts of "year, month, and day" and "time." For example, if the worker wishes to search for a machine 2 that has experienced a certain abnormality, the worker sets information on the "type of abnormality" as the search conditions. For example, if the worker wishes to search for a machine 2 that is expected to reach the end of its life within a certain period of time in the future, the worker sets information on the "projected life of the machine 2" as the search conditions. Specific examples of search conditions will be described later.

[0032] The information search unit 13 compares the search conditions received by the condition receiving unit 12 with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11, and extracts the identification information of the machine 2 corresponding to the machine information that meets the search conditions. Depending on the settings of the search conditions, the information search unit 13 may extract a plurality of pieces of identification information of the machine 2. A specific example of extraction of the identification information of the machine 2 in response to the search conditions will be described later. The identification information of the machine 2 extracted by the information search unit 13 is sent to the display unit 15 and the map generation unit 16.

[0033] Display unit 15 displays the identification information extracted by information search unit 13. Display unit 15 also displays a map generated by map generation unit 16, which will be described later. Examples of display unit 15 include a display device attached to a mobile terminal, a display device attached to a computer, and a standalone display device.

[0034] The map generating unit 16 generates a map showing the installation positions of each of the multiple machines 2. This map shows the layout of the machines 2 in the factory, which is the application range of the support device 1. In the map, the installation positions of the machines 2 having the identification information extracted by the information searching unit 13 and the installation positions of the machines having the identification information not extracted by the information searching unit 13 are shown in a distinguishable manner. For example, in the map, an icon showing the installation position of the machine 2 having the identification information extracted by the information searching unit 13 is displayed in a flashing red color, and an icon showing the installation position of the other machines 2 is displayed in black. In addition, in the map, the identification information (e.g., character strings, etc.) of the machine 2 extracted by the information searching unit 13 and the machine information of the machine 2 may be shown together with the icon of the machine 2.

[0035] In addition, it is preferable that the location of the worker using the support device 1 or the location of the support device 1 is identifiable on the map. For example, when the support device 1 is configured with a computer that is fixedly installed in or near the factory where the machine 2 is installed, the location where the computer is installed on the map is shown with an icon made of a picture of a computer. For example, when the support device 1 is configured with a mobile terminal, the current location of the support device 1 may be shown on the map with an icon made of a picture of a mobile terminal. However, when the location of the support device 1 configured with a mobile terminal is reflected on the map, the map generation unit 16 generates a map on which the location of the mobile terminal measured by the location measurement unit 19 described later is superimposed. This allows a worker who has a mobile terminal that constitutes the support device 1 to easily grasp the positional relationship between his / her own location and the installation location of the machine 2 having the identification information extracted by the information search unit 13 (i.e., the machine 2 having the machine information specified by the worker) by visually checking the map displayed on the display unit 15.

[0036] It should be noted that the above-described method for identifiably displaying each element on the map is merely one example, and the elements may be identifiably displayed according to other methods.

[0037] The position measurement unit 19 measures the positions of the mobile terminals constituting the support device 1, and sends the measurement results to the map generation unit 16. This enables the map generation unit 16 to generate a map on which the positions of the mobile terminals constituting the support device 1 are superimposed. Note that, when the support device 1 is configured with a computer that is fixedly installed in a factory where the machine 2 is installed, the position measurement unit 19 may be omitted.

[0038] The position measurement unit 19 may measure the position of the mobile terminal constituting the support device 1 using a known positioning method. For example, there is a method of determining the position of the mobile terminal by determining the signal strength (inversely proportional to the square of the distance) using a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication method, and a method of determining the position of the mobile terminal using three-point positioning. Since GPS radio waves are blocked inside a factory building, multiple beacon transmitters are installed inside the factory building to measure the position of the mobile terminal equipped with a beacon receiver. For example, in the method of determining the position of the mobile terminal using three-point positioning, the position of the beacon receiver installed in the mobile terminal can be measured based on the distance between each of three beacon transmitters among multiple beacon transmitters whose installation positions are obvious in the factory and the beacon receiver installed in the mobile terminal.

[0039] The above is the configuration of the assistance device 1 and the machine system 1000 including the same according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Next, a configuration of the support device 1 according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure and a machine system 2000 including the same will be described.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an assistance device and a machine system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] The support device 1 according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure and the machine system 2000 including the same differ from the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the machine system 1000 including the same shown in FIG. 1 in that an information acquisition unit 18 is provided in each of the multiple machines 2. The information acquisition unit 18 acquires machine information of the machine 2 in which it is provided and identification information of the machine 2, and sends them to the information update unit 14. The information update unit 14 updates the received machine information according to the content of the work, and the information storage unit 11 stores the machine information updated by the information update unit 14 in association with the identification information of the machine 2. Other than the point that the information acquisition unit 18 is provided in the machine 2, the configuration is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] Although not illustrated here, as a further modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the information acquisition unit 18 may be provided both in the assistance device 1 and in each of the multiple machines 2.

[0044] Next, the operation of the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0045] Fig. 3A is a flowchart showing a series of processes from receiving search conditions to displaying search results in the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows a case where identification information is displayed as the search results. Fig. 3B is a flowchart showing a series of processes from receiving search conditions to displaying search results in the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows a case where a map is displayed as the search results.

[0046] When displaying the identification information as the search result, first, in step S101, the condition receiving unit 12 receives search conditions for specifying the desired machine information, as shown in Fig. 3A. The search conditions are input by the operator via the input device 17. Next, in step S102, the information searching unit 13 compares the search conditions received by the condition receiving unit 12 with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11, and in step S103, extracts the identification information of the machine 2 corresponding to the machine information that matches the search conditions. Then, in step S104, the display unit 15 displays the identification information extracted by the information searching unit 13.

[0047] When displaying a map as a search result, as shown in FIG. 3B, first, in step S101, the condition receiving unit 12 receives search conditions for specifying desired machine information. The search conditions are input by the worker via the input device 17. Next, the information searching unit 13 compares the search conditions received by the condition receiving unit 12 with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11 in step S102, and extracts the identification information of the machine 2 corresponding to the machine information that matches the search conditions in step S103. Next, in step S105, the map generating unit 16 generates a map showing the installation positions of each of the multiple machines 2, in which the installation positions of the machines 2 having the identification information extracted by the information searching unit 13 and the installation positions of the machines having the identification information not extracted by the information searching unit 13 are identifiable. In particular, when the support device 1 is configured as a mobile terminal, a map is generated on which the current position of the support device 1 (i.e., the position of the worker who holds the support device 1) is superimposed. Then, in step S106, the display unit 15 displays the map generated by the map generating unit 16.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of processes from acquisition to storage of machine information in the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] In step S201, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires machine information and identification information corresponding to the machine information. The information acquisition unit 18 may acquire the machine information from the machine 2, or may acquire the machine information from the input device 17 operated by the worker. For example, when the worker completes work such as maintenance or inspection on the machine 2, the worker inputs machine information according to the work content for the machine 2 and identification information corresponding to the machine information through the input device 17 together with information indicating the completion of the work, and in response to this, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires the machine information for the machine 2 and the identification information corresponding to the machine information. Also, for example, the information acquisition unit 18 may periodically acquire machine information for each of the multiple machines 2 and the identification information corresponding to the machine information.

[0050] Next, in step 202, the information update unit 14 updates the machine information acquired by the information acquisition unit 18 according to the content, and in step S203, the information storage unit 11 stores the machine information updated by the information update unit 14 in association with the identification information of the machine 2.

[0051] Next, a specific example of machine information and a process for acquiring the machine information will be described.

[0052] Examples of maintenance history information constituting the machine information include the maintenance date and information regarding the maintenance of various components provided within the machine 2, such as the battery, motor, gears, arms, fans, cable wiring, tools, jigs, oil, and electronic components, as well as information regarding the update date and update contents of the computer program that operates the machine 2, but other information may also be included. Examples of maintenance work include replacement work, repair work, and cleaning work, but other work may also be included.

[0053] The information acquisition unit 18 acquires the maintenance history information, for example, as follows. When the maintenance work on the machine 2 is completed, the worker inputs, via the input device 17, information indicating the completion of the work, as well as maintenance history information according to the content of the maintenance work on the machine 2 and identification information corresponding to the maintenance history information. In response to this, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires the maintenance history information on the machine 2 and identification information corresponding to the maintenance history information. Taking the battery replacement of the machine 2 as an example, when the battery replacement of the machine 2 is completed, the worker inputs, via the input device 17, the "date of battery replacement" which is the maintenance history information and the identification information of the machine 2 on which the battery replacement was performed, as well as information indicating the completion of the battery replacement. Upon receiving the information indicating the completion of the battery replacement, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires information on the "date of battery replacement" which is the maintenance history information on the machine 2, and the identification information of the machine 2 on which the battery replacement was performed.

[0054] In addition, examples of abnormality history information constituting the machine information include the date of occurrence and details of abnormalities regarding, for example, abnormalities related to the operation of machine 2 itself, abnormalities in the workpiece resulting from the operation of machine 2, abnormalities in the machine system 1000 resulting from the operation of machine 2, and abnormalities in various components within machine 2 (for example, parts, software programs, etc.), but may also include other information.

[0055] The information acquiring unit 18 may acquire the abnormality history information when an alarm is output from the machine 2. The information acquiring unit 18 periodically monitors whether or not an alarm is output from the machine 2. Examples of alarms that are output are as follows.

[0056] Examples of alarms related to low battery voltage and abnormalities in fan motors installed in robots and machine tools include the following:

[0057] For example, the machine 2 has a built-in backup battery for the encoder of the motor therein, which needs to be replaced at a predetermined interval (for example, approximately one year). A voltage drop in the backup battery causes an alarm (warning) to be output. When a voltage drop alarm for the backup battery is output from the machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires identification information for the machine 2 in which the backup battery is installed, and information relating to "the occurrence of a voltage drop in the backup battery" and "the date of occurrence" as abnormality history information.

[0058] For example, the machine 2 has a data backup battery built into the control device of the machine 2, which needs to be replaced every predetermined period (for example, every few years). A voltage drop in the data backup battery causes an alarm (warning) to be output. When a voltage drop alarm for the data backup battery is output from the machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires identification information of the machine 2 in which the data backup battery is installed in the control device, and information relating to "the occurrence of a voltage drop in the data backup battery" and "the date of occurrence" as abnormality history information.

[0059] For example, the machine 2 may be provided with a fan motor. The fan motor starts rotating as soon as the power is turned on, and if oil mist adhering to the fan becomes stuck at that time, a fan alarm is output from the machine 2. If the oil mist is left stuck, the oil mist on the fan will accumulate, causing the fan's rotation speed to drop and the cooling capacity to decrease. As a result, the motor or servo amplifier in the machine 2 may overheat. When a fan alarm is output from the machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires identification information of the machine 2 in which the fan motor is provided, and information on "the fact that oil mist has stuck to the fan" and "the date of occurrence" as abnormality history information.

[0060] Furthermore, if a robot, which is machine 2, experiences a so-called "choco stop," an alarm is output. A "choco stop" is a stop that occurs repeatedly over a short period of time for some reason when a machine installed in a factory stops. Choco stops are easily overlooked because the stop time is short each time, but they are differentiated from "long stops," which are longer stops that are easier to detect, because repeated stops can lead to a decrease in the operating efficiency of machine 2. Generally, when a robot experiences a "choco stop," a video camera is installed to record the robot's behavior (including the "choco stop") and the cause of the "choco stop" is investigated. Examples of alarms that are output when a "choco stop" occurs include the following:

[0061] For example, when a robot, which is the machine 2, grasps a workpiece with its hand, if the control device of the machine 2 detects that the gripping jaws are fully closed, a gripping error alarm is output from the control device. A gripping error by the robot's hand is a typical momentary stop in a robot, and it is necessary to investigate the cause of the gripping error. In a robot that detects the position of a workpiece with a camera, the gripping error by the hand may be caused by lighting conditions, incorrect focus settings of the camera, or camera shaking due to vibrations from peripheral devices, and it is often not possible to immediately identify the cause. When a gripping error alarm is output from the machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires the identification information of the machine 2 and information on "the occurrence of a gripping error by the robot's hand" and "the date of occurrence" as abnormality history information.

[0062] For example, when a robot, which is machine 2, grasps a workpiece with its hand, if the hand interferes with the workpiece, a collision detection alarm is output from the control device of machine 2. Interference between the hand and the workpiece is also a typical momentary stop in a robot, and the cause of the interference needs to be investigated. When a collision detection alarm is output from machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires information regarding "interference between the hand and the workpiece" and "the date of occurrence" as identification information of said machine 2 and abnormality history information.

[0063] For example, when a robot, which is machine 2, captures an image of a workpiece with a camera to measure the position of the workpiece, if the workpiece cannot be correctly recognized due to lighting conditions (for example, the surroundings are too dark, or halation occurs due to reflection from a metal object), a detection failure alarm is output from the control device of machine 2. When a detection failure alarm is output from machine 2, information acquisition unit 18 acquires information regarding "the workpiece could not be correctly recognized" and "the date of occurrence" as identification information of said machine 2 and abnormality history information.

[0064] Furthermore, examples of alarms related to the digital servo of a robot or machine tool include a servo alarm indicating that a servo motor needs to be replaced, a servo alarm indicating that a servo amplifier needs to be replaced, and a servo alarm output due to a setting error in a servo parameter or a wiring error in a servo motor. When a servo alarm is output from a machine 2, the information acquiring unit 18 acquires information related to the "contents indicated in the servo alarm" and the "output date of the servo alarm" as identification information of the machine 2 and abnormality history information.

[0065] Furthermore, the machine 2 is often provided with an abnormality detection unit (not shown) that monitors data such as voltage, current, and motor rotation speed during normal operation of the machine 2, and outputs an abnormality alarm when a significant change occurs in the data. When an abnormality alarm is output from the abnormality detection unit of the machine 2, the information acquisition unit 18 acquires information regarding the "abnormal values ​​of data such as voltage, current, and motor rotation speed" and "the date of occurrence" as identification information of the machine 2 and abnormality history information.

[0066] Examples of predicted life information constituting the machine information include predicted life information of various components in the machine 2, predicted life information of the machine 2 itself, predicted life information of the machine system 1000 including the machine 2, and the like, but may also include predicted life information about other items. The predicted life information can be calculated by a known method, and may be calculated, for example, based on the useful life of the various components of the machine 2, the machine 2 itself, or the machine system 1000, the installation date, and the current date and time, or machine learning may be used for the calculation.

[0067] In addition, it is preferable to include operation plan information for each of the multiple machines 2 in the machine information. The operation plan information is a schedule indicating when the machine 2 is operating and when it is stopped. For a machine 2 in operation, maintenance work is rarely performed by stopping the operation of the machine 2, except in an emergency. Therefore, when performing a search by the support device 1, it is better to exclude the currently operating machine 2 from the search target to improve search efficiency. The operation plan information for each machine 2 is stored as machine information in the information storage unit 11, and it is possible to set "the machine is stopped" as a search condition. In this way, if the worker specifies "the machine is stopped" as a search condition via the input device 17, the machine 2 that is operating at the time the condition receiving unit 12 receives the search condition can be excluded from the extraction target of identification information by the information search unit 13, and the workload of the worker can be further reduced.

[0068] Next, specific examples of extraction of machine 2 identification information in response to search conditions and display of search results will be described with reference to Figs. 5A to 9B. Note that the search conditions, search results, and maps shown in Figs. 5A to 9B are merely examples, and other search conditions, search results, and maps may be used. Furthermore, search results based on character strings and search results based on map display may be appropriately combined and displayed on the display unit 15. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figs. 5A to 9B, a screen on which search conditions are input using character strings is shown, but various search conditions may be displayed selectably using, for example, a pull-down menu or icons.

[0069] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a first example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, and shows the search conditions. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a first example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, and shows the search results. The search conditions shown in FIG. 5A and the first example of search results shown in FIG. 5B are for searching for identification information of a machine 2 that needs battery replacement among multiple machines 2. For example, an example is shown in which up to five machines whose battery was replaced before February 28, 2016 are searched for among multiple machines 2, for the model "ROBOT-100" that is currently out of operation. As shown in FIG. 5A, the worker inputs "operation status: out of production", "model: ROBOT-100", "last battery replacement: before February 28, 2016", and "maximum number of output items: 5" as search conditions through the input device 17 while referring to the display contents 31 on the display unit 15. The condition receiving unit 12 receives the search conditions, and the information searching unit 13 compares the search conditions with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11, and extracts the identification information of the machine corresponding to the machine information that meets the search conditions. Then, as shown in Fig. 5B, the display unit 15 displays the machine ID and the corresponding date of the last battery replacement as the identification information of the machine 2 that meets the search conditions, for example, in order of the oldest date of the last battery replacement, as the search result 32. Note that for a machine that has never had its battery replaced, the installation date of the machine may be recorded in the information storage unit 11 as the date of the last battery replacement.

[0070] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a second example of search conditions in the support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a second example of search conditions in the support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search results. The search conditions shown in FIG. 6A and the second example of the search results shown in FIG. 6B are for searching for identification information of a machine 2 that corresponds to a desired predicted life among a plurality of machines 2. For example, an example is shown in which up to four machines are searched for that have a predicted life of a second shaft reducer, which is a part of the model "ROBOT-300" that is currently out of operation, before June 30, 2022 among a plurality of machines 2. As shown in FIG. 6A, the worker inputs "operation status: production operation suspended", "model: ROBOT-300", "second shaft reducer predicted life: before June 30, 2022", and "maximum number of output items: 4 items" via the input device 17 while referring to the display contents 31 by the display unit 15. The condition receiving unit 12 receives the search conditions, and the information searching unit 13 compares the search conditions with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11 and extracts the identification information of the machine corresponding to the machine information that meets the search conditions. Then, as shown in Fig. 6B, the display unit 15 displays the machine ID and the corresponding predicted lifespan date as the identification information of the machine 2 that meets the search conditions, for example, in order of the earliest predicted lifespan end date (i.e., in order of the shortest predicted lifespan), as the search result 32.

[0071] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a third example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a third example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search results. The third example of the search conditions shown in FIG. 7A and the search results shown in FIG. 7B are for searching for identification information of a machine 2 that has had a momentary stoppage at a predetermined frequency among a plurality of machines 2. For example, an example is shown in which, among a plurality of machines 2, a machine 2 that is currently out of operation is searched for that has had a momentary stoppage three or more times in the past month. As shown in FIG. 7A, the worker inputs "operation status: production operation suspended" and "momentary stoppage frequency: 3 times / month or more" as search conditions via the input device 17 while referring to the display contents 31 by the display unit 15. The condition receiving unit 12 receives the search conditions, and the information searching unit 13 compares the search conditions with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11, and extracts the identification information of the machine corresponding to the machine information that matches the search conditions. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the display unit 15 displays the search results 32, for example in order of frequency of momentary stops, including machine IDs as identification information of the machines 2 that meet the search criteria and the corresponding momentary stop frequencies.

[0072] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing search results displayed on a map. In the fourth example of the search conditions shown in FIG. 8A and the search results shown in FIG. 8B, a worker who has a mobile terminal constituting the support device 1 knows in advance which machine 2 is in poor condition among multiple machines 2, and checks the installation location of the machine 2 on the mobile terminal. For example, if the machine 2 with the identification information "R350" is in poor condition, as shown in FIG. 8A, the worker inputs "machine ID: R350" as a search condition via the input device 17 while referring to the display contents 31 by the display unit 15. The condition receiving unit 12 receives the search conditions, and the map generating unit 16 generates a map. As shown in FIG. 8B, the display unit 15 displays a map in which the location 41 of the machine 2 with "machine ID: R350" is shown as a search result 32, for example, by a black square, the locations 42 of the other machines 2 are shown as white squares, and the locations 40 of the workers holding the constituent mobile terminals are shown as human-shaped icons.

[0073] FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing the search conditions. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of search conditions in the support device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and search results displayed on the display unit, showing search results displayed on a map. The fifth example of the search conditions shown in FIG. 9A and the search results shown in FIG. 9B causes the display unit 15 to display a map showing the positions of the machines 2 that require battery replacement among the multiple machines 2. In the examples shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the search conditions are the same as those in the first example described above. As shown in FIG. 9A, the worker inputs the search conditions "operation status: production operation suspended", "model: ROBOT-100", "last battery replacement time: before 2 / 28 / 2016", and "maximum number of output items: 5 items" via the input device 17 while referring to the display contents 31 on the display unit 15. The condition receiving unit 12 receives the search conditions, and the information searching unit 13 compares the search conditions with the machine information stored in the information storage unit 11, and extracts the identification information of the machine corresponding to the machine information that meets the search conditions. Then, the map generating unit 16 generates a map showing the installation positions of each of the multiple machines 2, as shown in Fig. 9B, in which the installation positions of the machines 2 having the identification information extracted by the information searching unit 13 and the installation positions of the machines having the identification information not extracted by the information searching unit 13 are distinguishable. As shown in Fig. 9B, the display unit 15 displays a map showing the search results 32, in which the positions 41 of the machines 2 that meet the search conditions are shown by black squares, the positions 42 of the other machines 2 are shown by white squares, and the positions 40 of the workers who carry the mobile terminals that constitute the search conditions are shown by human-shaped icons.

[0074] Next, a device configuration example of the support device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that, although the support device 1 described with reference to Fig. 1 will be described as an example here, the support device 1 described with reference to Fig. 2 can be similarly applied.

[0075] Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a case where the support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured by a fixed computer. As shown in Fig. 10, for example, the support device 1 is provided in a computer 300 that is fixedly installed in or near a factory where a machine 2 is installed.

[0076] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a case where a support device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured with a host computer and a mobile terminal. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, the information storage unit 11, the condition reception unit 12, the information search unit 13, the information update unit 14, the map generation unit 16, the information acquisition unit 18, and the position measurement unit 19 of the support device 1 are provided in a host computer 100 that is fixedly installed in or near a factory where a machine 2 is installed. In addition, a display unit 15 and an input device 17 are provided in a mobile terminal 200. The host computer 100 and the mobile terminal 200 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other. The search conditions inputted through the input unit on the mobile terminal 200 are transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 to the host computer 100 and received by the condition reception unit. The identification information extracted by the information search unit 13 and the map generated by the map generation unit 16 are transmitted from the host computer 100 to the mobile terminal and displayed on the display unit 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Support equipment 2 machines 11 Information storage section 12 Conditions Reception Section 13 Information Search Department 14 Information update department 15 Display section 16 Map Generation Section 17 Input Devices 18 Information acquisition department 100 host computer 200 Mobile Devices 300 Computers 1000, 2000 Mechanical Systems

Claims

1. A support device that supports operations of a plurality of types of production machines, including any one of a robot, a machine tool, a laser processing machine, a wire electric discharge machine, and an injection molding machine, installed in a factory, an information storage unit that stores machine information including at least one of maintenance history information, abnormality history information, and predicted life information for each of the plurality of types of production machines in association with identification information of the production machine; a condition receiving unit that receives search conditions for specifying desired machine information; an information search unit that compares the search conditions accepted by the condition accepting unit with the machine information stored in the information storage unit and extracts identification information of a production machine corresponding to the machine information that matches the search conditions; Equipped with the machine information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification information further includes operation plan information for each of the plurality of types of production machines, The search conditions include a condition that the production machine is out of operation at the time when the condition receiving unit receives the search conditions.

2. an information updating unit that updates the machine information of a production machine that has completed a task among the plurality of types of production machines in accordance with the content of the task, The support device according to claim 1 , wherein the information storage unit stores the machine information updated by the information update unit in association with identification information of the production machine that has completed the work.

3. The support device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that displays the identification information extracted by the information search unit.

4. a map generating unit configured to generate a map indicating an installation position of each of the plurality of types of production machines, the map indicating in a distinguishable manner an installation position of a production machine having identification information extracted by the information searching unit and an installation position of a production machine having identification information not extracted by the information searching unit, The support device according to claim 3 , wherein the display unit displays the map generated by the map generation unit.

5. a host computer in which the information storage unit, the condition receiving unit, and the information search unit are provided; a mobile terminal connected to the host computer so as to be capable of communicating with the host computer, the mobile terminal including the display unit and an input device for inputting the search conditions; Equipped with the search conditions inputted via the input device are transmitted from the portable terminal to the host computer and accepted by the condition acceptance unit; 4. The support device according to claim 3, wherein the identification information extracted by the information search section is transmitted from the host computer to the mobile terminal and displayed on the display section.

6. a host computer in which the information storage unit, the condition receiving unit, the information searching unit, and the map generating unit are provided; a mobile terminal connected to the host computer so as to be capable of communicating with the host computer, the mobile terminal including the display unit and an input device for inputting the search conditions; Equipped with the search conditions inputted via the input device are transmitted from the portable terminal to the host computer and accepted by the condition acceptance unit; The support device according to claim 4 , wherein the map generated by the map generating unit is transmitted from the host computer to the mobile terminal and displayed on the display unit.

7. A position measurement unit that measures the position of the mobile terminal is further provided, The support device according to claim 6 , wherein the map generation unit generates the map on which the position of the mobile terminal measured by the position measurement unit is superimposed.

8. A plurality of types of production machines including any one of a robot, a machine tool, a laser processing machine, a wire electric discharge machine, and an injection molding machine installed in a factory; An assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; Equipped with The support device is a machine system having an information acquisition unit that acquires the machine information.

9. A plurality of types of production machines including any one of a robot, a machine tool, a laser processing machine, a wire electric discharge machine, and an injection molding machine installed in a factory; An assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; Equipped with A machine system, wherein each of the plurality of types of production machines has an information acquisition unit that acquires the machine information.

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