Automated storage device, automated storage system, automated storage method and production system

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a body unit which is provided with a first opening portion through which a rack can be carried in and carried out, the rack being provided with a plurality of container slots in each of which a part accommodation body accommodating a part can be brought into and brought out from; a first rack holding unit which holds, at a first transfer position, the rack carried into the inside of the body unit via the first opening portion; a storage unit which can store a plurality of the part accommodation bodies inside the body unit; a transfer unit which transfers the part accommodation body between the rack at the first transfer position and the storage unit; and a storage control unit which controls the transfer unit, wherein the storage control unit includes a delivery control unit which controls the transfer unit such that each of the plurality of part accommodation bodies which are targets of a delivery request is transferred to the container slot.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic storage device that stores component storage bodies (such as reels and trays) that contain components, an automatic storage system and automatic storage method that store component storage bodies using the automatic storage device, and a production system that produces component-mounted boards using component storage bodies stored in the automatic storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Component storage devices such as reels and trays are used to supply components to component mounting devices that mount electronic components (hereinafter simply referred to as "components") on substrates such as printed wiring boards. For example, a reel has a carrier tape wound around it that stores components. When the reel is attached to a component supply device, the component supply device unwinds the carrier tape from the reel. Meanwhile, the mounting head of the component mounting device picks up the components stored on the carrier tape and mounts them on the substrate. This is how mounted substrates are produced. When trays are used as component storage devices, the process is basically the same.

[0003] During the production of these mounted boards, workers perform a replenishment operation to replenish components according to the amount of components consumed in the production of mounted boards, so that the supply of components from the component supply device does not stop and the production of mounted boards does not stop.In recent years, automatic storage devices known as parts towers have been used to efficiently perform the component replenishment operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-164017 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the component supply management system equipped with the automatic storage device described in Patent Document 1, when the number of remaining components in a component mounting device becomes low, the automatic storage device is instructed to retrieve the component storage unit that stores the components. Upon receiving the retrieval instruction, the automatic storage device begins retrieving the component storage unit. The automatic storage device then transports the component storage unit to a removal position and waits for a worker to pick it up. The problem here is the ease of retrieval. In other words, with an automatic storage device, a worker must remove each component storage unit one by one. In particular, as the number of component storage units to be replenished increases, the retrieval process becomes more complicated. This is one of the main factors that leads to a decrease in the efficiency of retrieval processes.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an automatic storage device that can efficiently retrieve multiple part storage units, as well as an automatic storage system, an automatic storage method, and a production system that use the automatic storage device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is an automatic storage device comprising: a main body section having a first opening through which racks can be loaded and unloaded, and having a plurality of storage slots through which component storage units containing components can be freely inserted and removed; a first rack holding section that holds the rack loaded into the main body section through the first opening at a first transfer position; a storage section capable of storing a plurality of component storage units inside the main body section; a transfer section that transfers component storage units between the rack at the first transfer position and the storage section; and a storage control section that controls the transfer section, wherein the storage control section has an out-of-stock control section that controls the transfer section so that a plurality of component storage units that are the subject of an out-of-stock request are each transferred to the storage slots.

[0008] In addition, a second aspect of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned automatic storage device, an information management unit that manages storage information for each component storage item stored in the storage unit, associating the type of component storage item with its storage location in the storage unit, and an out-of-stock information creation unit that creates out-of-stock information including the order in which the component storage items will be out-of-stock by the transfer unit, for each component storage item that is the subject of an out-of-stock request, so that the component storage item is transferred to a storage slot based on the storage information corresponding to the component storage item, and the storage control unit is characterized in that it controls the transfer unit to transfer the component storage item from the storage unit to a rack in accordance with the out-of-stock information created by the out-of-stock information creation unit.

[0009] In addition, a third aspect of the present invention is an automatic storage method for retrieving multiple component storage units using the above-mentioned automatic storage device, characterized by comprising the steps of: holding an empty rack with no component storage units stored in its storage slots at a first transfer position; transferring each component storage unit that is the subject of a retrieval request to a storage slot of the rack held at the first transfer position; and, after confirming that the multiple component storage units that are the subject of a retrieval request have each been stored in the rack, releasing the rack and notifying that retrieval preparations have been completed.

[0010] In addition, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a production system for producing component-mounted boards using a component mounting device, comprising the above-mentioned automatic storage device, a transport device for transporting racks between the automatic storage device and the component mounting device, and a transport control unit for controlling the transport device so that the rack, which has been transported to a first transfer position after storing a plurality of component storage bodies in the automatic storage device, is transported to the component mounting device, wherein the automatic storage device further has a first rack transport unit for transporting the rack between the first transfer position and the first transfer position, which is located on the opposite side of the first opening from the first transfer position, and the first rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the first rack transport unit.

[0011] In the invention configured in this way, the multiple component storage units that are the subject of the retrieval request are transferred to the storage slots of the rack, and the rack containing the multiple component storage units is then removed from the automated storage device through the first opening.

[0012] Here, the first rack holding unit may be configured to have a first rack fixing mechanism that fixes the rack at the first transfer position. Fixing the rack with the first rack fixing mechanism allows the component storage body to be transferred stably to the storage slot.

[0013] Although an empty rack may be directly carried into the first transfer position through the first opening, and a rack containing multiple component storage units may be directly carried out from the first transfer position through the first opening, the following configuration is preferable in consideration of the ease of operation for workers. That is, it is preferable to further provide a first rack transport unit that transports racks between the first transfer position and a first delivery position located on the opposite side of the first opening from the first transfer position. The first rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the first transfer position by the first rack transport unit to the first rack transport unit, and after the multiple component storage units that are the subject of the out-of-stock request are each stored in the rack, the first rack fixing mechanism releases the rack from the first rack transport unit, allowing the first rack transport unit to transport the rack to the first delivery position, thereby improving the ease of operation.

[0014] In addition to the first opening, a second opening may be provided to load and unload racks into and from the main body. That is, a second rack holding unit may be provided to hold a rack, which is loaded into the main body through a second opening provided in a position different from the first opening, at a second transfer position different from the first transfer position, and the transfer unit may transfer component storage units between the rack at the second transfer position and the storage unit. In this case, component storage units can be loaded and unloaded using two racks, thereby improving loading efficiency.

[0015] The second rack holding unit may also be configured to have a second rack fixing mechanism that fixes the rack at the second transfer position. Fixing the rack with the second rack fixing mechanism allows for stable transfer of the component storage unit to the storage slot.

[0016] Furthermore, it is desirable that the second rack holding unit be provided with a second rack transport unit that transports the rack between a second delivery position located on the opposite side of the second opening from the second transfer position and the second transfer position.The second rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the second transfer position by the second rack transport unit to the second rack transport unit, and releases the fixation of the rack to the second rack transport unit after the multiple component storage objects that are the subject of the out-of-stock request are each stored in the rack, allowing the second rack transport unit to transport the rack to the second delivery position, thereby improving the above-mentioned operability.

[0017] Furthermore, although the above description has been given of the retrieval of component storage units, the same can be said for the retrieval of component storage units. In other words, the storage control unit may be configured to have an retrieval control unit that controls the transfer unit so that the component storage units stored in the storage slots are transferred to the storage unit when a request for retrieval of the component storage units to the storage unit is made.

[0018] In addition, in the above-described automated storage system, the information management unit may further manage a production plan for producing component-mounted boards by mounting components on boards with component mounting devices, and the shipping information creation unit may determine the component storage units to be shipped based on the production plan received from the information management unit. This allows the component storage units required for producing component-mounted boards to be shipped at the appropriate time.

[0019] Furthermore, the information management unit may manage the production status of component mounting boards by the component mounting devices, the shipping information creation unit may decide to change the shipping order or suspend shipping based on the production status received from the information management unit, and the storage control unit may control the transfer unit to transfer component storage units from the storage unit to the rack in the changed shipping order when the shipping order is changed by the shipping information creation unit, and to suspend the transfer of component storage units from the storage unit to the rack when the shipping information creation unit suspends shipping. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the progress of production.

[0020] The storage control unit may further include a notification unit that notifies the status of component storage units being delivered to the rack, and the storage control unit may be configured to control the notification unit so that a change in the delivery order is notified when there is a change in the delivery order, and a delivery interruption is notified when the transfer of component storage units is interrupted.The storage control unit may also be configured to control the notification unit so that a completion of preparation for removal of the rack is notified when the transfer of component storage units according to the delivery order is completed.In this way, the notification unit functions as a man-machine interface, and can accurately and quickly notify various information.

[0021] Furthermore, although a rack has multiple storage slots, their structures are not necessarily uniform. Therefore, an information acquisition unit may be further provided to acquire rack structure information relating to the structures of the multiple storage slots provided in the rack, and the shipping information creation unit may be configured to create, for each component storage item to be shipped, information about which of the multiple storage slots to transfer the component storage item to, along with the shipping order, as shipping information based on the type of component storage item and the rack structure information. This optimizes the shipping order, enabling efficient shipping processing.

[0022] The system may further include a rack supply unit that selectively supplies one of a plurality of empty racks having different storage slot structures to a rack supply position where it can be handed over to a transport device, and a rack selection unit that selects an empty rack having a storage slot structure that will maximize the capacity of component storage units when used to retrieval of component storage units from the automatic storage device to the component mounting device, wherein the rack supply unit supplies the rack determined by the rack determination unit to the rack supply position, and the transport control unit controls the transport device so that the rack is transported from the rack supply unit to the automatic storage device. This allows empty racks that are suitable for retrieval to be selectively used, enabling efficient retrieval processing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above, according to the present invention, multiple component storage units can be transported together while stored in a rack, allowing multiple component storage units to be efficiently removed from the warehouse. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a production system using a first embodiment of an automatic storage device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the production system shown in FIG. [Figure 3A] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a first embodiment of an automatic storage device according to the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a rack used for storing and retrieving reels from an automated storage device. [Figure 4] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the automatic storage device shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart showing a reel unloading process according to a first embodiment of the automatic storage method of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a reel unloading process operation. [Figure 7] 10 shows an example of a shipping order list. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a rack used for storing and retrieving reels from the automated storage device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for optimizing a shipping order. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram schematically showing a retrieval operation in the automatic storage device shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a warehousing process in a production system according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shipping process in the production system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a production system using a first embodiment of an automatic storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the production system shown in FIG. 1. This production system 100 manages component supply operations in a production line that produces component-mounted boards by mounting components on boards. In this embodiment, various processes are performed by the devices (printing device PR, component mounting devices MC1-MC3, and inspection device IN) that make up the production line L1 while transporting boards from the upstream side (left side) to the downstream side (right side) according to the board production process. More specifically, the printing device PR is a screen printer that applies cream solder to the mounting surface of the board. Furthermore, the component mounting devices MC1-MC3 mount small pieces of components such as LSIs, ICs, transistors, capacitors, and resistors on the boards on which the cream solder has been printed. In this embodiment, three component mounting devices MC1-MC3 are arranged in this order along the board transport direction. Each component mounting device MC1-MC3 picks up components stored on a carrier tape wound on a reel and mounts them on the board. Furthermore, the inspection device IN receives the board from the upstream component mounting device MC3 and inspects the appearance of the board using visible light or X-rays. Note that the configuration of the production line L1 is not limited to this, and for example, the number of component mounting devices may be increased or decreased depending on the type and number of components, and component mounting devices that mount components stored in trays may be arranged. Furthermore, the number of production lines is not limited to "1", and multiple production lines may be provided depending on the layout of the board production factory.

[0026] As component mounting boards are produced, the number of remaining components stored in the component supply devices (not shown) of component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 decreases. If the supply of components from a component supply device stops, production of component mounting boards must be stopped, resulting in a decrease in operation rate. Therefore, a component supply operation is required, in which an operator OP loads new reels into the component supply device to replenish components according to the amount of components consumed in the production of component mounting boards. To efficiently perform this component supply operation, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one automatic storage device 200 and a component warehouse (not shown) are located in a storage area away from production line L1. The automatic storage device 200 stores multiple reels wound with carrier tape containing components, serving as an example of the "component storage unit" of the present invention. The automatic storage device 200 then retrieves multiple reels in a batch in response to a retrieval request. The configuration and operation of the automatic storage device 200 will be described in detail later. Although the number of automatic storage devices 200 installed in this embodiment is "1," two or more units may be installed.

[0027] In order to comprehensively control the devices that make up the production line L1 (printing device PR, component mounting devices MC1 to MC3, and inspection device IN) and the automatic storage device 200, a production management device 300 is provided in the management area of the production system 100. The production management device 300 is connected to the devices on the production line L1, the automatic storage device 200, and the mobile terminal 400 of the worker OP via a communication network NW.

[0028] The production management device 300 has a system management control unit 310 which is made up of a known CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes logical operations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores initial settings, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores various data during device operation. The system management control unit 310 operates according to a preset program and functions as an information management unit 311, a shipping information creation unit 312, and a message creation unit 313. The information management unit 311 manages various types of information. Representative information includes: Storage information associating the type of reel stored in the automatic storage device 200 with the storage location (storage shelf information) in the automatic storage device 200; A production plan for producing component-mounted boards by mounting components on boards using component mounting devices MC1 to MC3; -Production status of component mounting boards using component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 Here, a device for creating a production program may be provided independent of the production management device 300. Furthermore, the shipping information creation unit 312 creates shipping information related to reels to be shipped from the automatic storage device 200 in response to a decrease in the number of remaining components in the component mounting devices MC1 to MC3. Furthermore, the message creation unit 313 creates various messages related to reel shipping.

[0029] In addition to the system management control unit 310, the production management device 300 also has an input unit 320, a display unit 330, and a communication unit 340. The input unit 320 accepts data inputs and instructions from the operator OP, etc. The display unit 330 displays various information. In this manner, in this embodiment, the input unit 320 and the display unit 330 are provided as a man-machine interface, but a touch panel may also be provided as the input unit 320 and the display unit 330. The communication unit 340 receives various information from other devices and transmits instructions and information created by each unit of the production management device 300 to the other devices.

[0030] The portable terminal 400 is a terminal that the worker OP carries with him or her at all times during work, and includes a terminal control unit 410, a touch panel 420, a code reading unit 430, and a communication unit 440. The communication unit 440 is capable of wireless communication with other devices via a communication network NW. The terminal control unit 410 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and displays various information received from other devices on the touch panel 420. The touch panel 420 reads touch input information by the worker OP and provides it to the terminal control unit 410. The code reading unit 430 also scans identification codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes attached to reels and racks, which will be described below, and provides the scanned information to the terminal control unit 410. The terminal control unit 410, which receives this touch input information and scanned information, converts it into various instructions and information and sends it wirelessly to other devices.

[0031] Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a first embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention. Fig. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a rack used for storing and retrieving reels from the automatic storage device. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic storage device shown in Fig. 3A. In these drawings, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system consisting of mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions is appropriately shown. In this coordinate system, the X direction is the loading / unloading direction of the rack, the Y direction is the horizontal direction orthogonal to the loading / unloading direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction.

[0032] The automated storage device 200 stores reels RL, which are an example of the component storage units of the present invention, inside a main body 210 and selectively retrieves reels RL corresponding to a retrieval request (including a retrieval order list) from the production management device 300. An opening 211 is provided in the front of the main body 210 of the automated storage device 200, along with a front door 212 for opening and closing the opening 211. The opening 211 has an opening size corresponding to the rack 10 shown in FIG. 3B . The rack 10 has multiple storage slots 12. Each storage slot 12 is configured to freely insert and remove reels RL. In this embodiment, the front door 212 is configured to be opened and closed manually by an operator OP. However, a door drive unit may be connected to the front door 212 so that the front door 212 can be opened and closed in response to the operator OP's operation of a button switch. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front door 212 is configured as a so-called single-wing door, but it may also be configured as a sliding door. These points also apply to embodiments described later.

[0033] A rack holding unit 220 is provided below the front door 212. The rack holding unit 220 has a rack transport unit 221 configured to be able to move back and forth in the X direction while supporting the rack 10 from below. The rack transport unit 221 is composed of a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or the like, and is installed extending in the X direction below the opening 211. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the end of the rack transport unit 221 on the (+X) direction side protrudes outside the main body unit 210, and the end on the (-X) direction side enters the inside of the main body unit 210, extending to a transfer position Pt1. The rack transport unit 221 is connected to a loading / unloading drive unit 222 (FIG. 2). The loading / unloading drive unit 222 drives the rack transport unit 221 in response to a transport command from a storage control unit 230 that controls the automated storage apparatus 200. For example, when the front door 212 is open and a rack 10 is placed on the (+X) side of the rack transport unit 221, when the rack transport unit 221 operates, the rack 10 is transported into the main body unit 210 through the opening 211.

[0034] In order to position the rack 10 thus carried in at the transfer position Pt1, a stopper member 223 is provided at the end on the (-Y) direction side of the rack holding unit 220. That is, the rack 10 carried in by the rack transport unit 221 is locked by the stopper member 223 extending in the Y direction, as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, in order to reliably hold the rack 10 at the transfer position Pt1, a pair of latch mechanisms 224 are provided on the (+X) direction side of the rack transport unit 221. Although Fig. 4 shows only the latch mechanism 224 on the (+Y) direction side, a latch mechanism 224 is also provided on the (-Y) direction side.

[0035] As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4 , each latch mechanism 224 includes a movable lever 225 and a latch driver 226 that drives the movable lever 225. One end of the movable lever 225 has a shape (a concave shape in this embodiment) that allows it to engage with the protruding portion 11 protruding from the side surface of the rack 10. The other end of the movable lever 225 is pivotally supported on the side surface of the frame of the rack transport unit 221. The latch driver 226 has an actuator (drive source) such as an air cylinder or a solenoid, and rotates the movable lever 225 in response to a command from the storage control unit 230. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , when the movable lever 225 is rotated clockwise by the latch driver 226 while the rack 10 is transported to the transfer position Pt1, one end of the movable lever 225, i.e., the end with a concave shape, rotates toward the rack 10 and engages with the protruding portion 11 of the rack 10. This allows the rack 10 to be firmly held by the rack holder 220 at the transfer position Pt1. On the other hand, as will be described later, when a rack 10 containing a plurality of reels RL is to be removed from the automated storage device 200, the rack 10 is released from the hold state by a process reverse to the above-described carry-in hold state. That is, the latch drive unit 226 rotates the movable lever 225 counterclockwise in FIG. 4, causing one end of the movable lever 225 to move away from the protruding portion 11 of the rack 10. This releases the hold state of the rack 10. Furthermore, the entire movable lever 225 is retracted below the transport path of the rack 10. This reliably prevents the movable lever 225 from interfering with the rack 10 when the rack 10 is transported in the (+X) direction.

[0036] Furthermore, in the rack holding unit 220, a so-called transmission sensor 227, which combines a light projector and a light receiver, is provided on the (-X) side of the rack transport unit 221 to sense the loading and unloading of the rack 10 relative to the transfer position Pt1. As shown in FIG. 4, a light projector 228 is attached on the (+Y) side. Although not shown in FIG. 4, a light receiver is attached to the side of the frame of the rack transport unit 221 on the (-Y) side of the light projector 228, with the rack 10 in between. In other words, the positioning of the rack 10 at the transfer position Pt1 is detected when light traveling in the Y direction from the light projector 228 is blocked by the rack 10, and the detection result is transmitted to the storage control unit 230. Note that although the transmission sensor 227 is used in this embodiment, detection may also be performed using a so-called reflection sensor or a capacitance sensor.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 4, the rack holding unit 220 configured as described above is disposed in a region on the (+X) direction side inside the main body 210. Meanwhile, a shelf-like storage unit 240 is disposed in a region on the (-X) direction side inside the main body 210. The storage unit 240 has storage shelves in which a plurality of storage spaces, each for storing a reel RL in a horizontally placed state, are arranged in a matrix. Therefore, by associating information indicating the storage shelf where the reel RL is stored (hereinafter referred to as "storage shelf information") with an identification code attached to the reel RL (hereinafter referred to as "reel identification code"), it is possible to store the reel RL in a desired location and accurately retrieve a reel RL storing desired parts from the storage unit 240.

[0038] The rack holder 220 and the storage unit 240 are spaced apart by a fixed distance in the X direction, and two transfer units 250, 250 are disposed in the space between them. Each transfer unit 250, 250 has a robot body 251 that is movable in the Y, Z, and R directions, and a reel gripping hand 252 that is movable from the robot body 251 in the X direction. The "R direction" here refers to the direction around a rotation axis extending in the Z direction. Therefore, by driving each component of the transfer unit 250 in response to a transfer command from the storage control unit 230, the desired reel RL is gripped by the reel gripping hand 252 according to the retrieval order list, as described below, and transferred to a specified storage slot 12 among the multiple storage slots 12 provided in the rack 10. Note that, although two transfer units 250 are provided in this embodiment, the number of transfer units 250 is not limited to "two" and may be any number.

[0039] In the automated storage equipment 200, a storage control unit 230 is provided as shown in FIG. 2 to control the rack holding unit 220 and the transfer unit 250 configured as described above. The storage control unit 230 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and operates according to a preset program to function as an outgoing control unit 231, an incoming control unit 232, and a carry-in / out control unit 233. The outgoing control unit 231 controls the transfer unit 250 so that multiple reels RL that are the subject of an outgoing request are transferred to each of the storage slots 12. The incoming control unit 232 also controls the operation of the transfer unit 250 when storing reels RL in an empty storage shelf. In other words, the incoming control unit 232 controls the transfer unit 250 so that multiple reels RL that are the subject of an incoming request are transferred to each of the storage shelves of the storage unit 240. Furthermore, the loading / unloading control unit 233 controls the loading operation in which the rack 10 is loaded into the transfer position Pt1 and then held by the rack holding unit 220, and the unloading operation in which the rack 10 is unloaded from the transfer position Pt1 after the holding of the rack 10 at the transfer position Pt1 is released.

[0040] In addition to the storage control unit 230, the automated storage device 200 also has a loading / unloading drive unit 222, a latch drive unit 226, an input unit 260, a display unit 270, a code reading unit 280, and a communication unit 290. The input unit 260 accepts data input and instructions from an operator OP or the like. The display unit 270 displays various information. In this embodiment, the input unit 260 and the display unit 270 are provided as a man-machine interface, but touch panels may also be provided as the input unit 260 and the display unit 270. The code reading unit 280 scans identification codes attached to reels RL, racks 10, etc., and provides the scanned information to the storage control unit 230. The communication unit 290 receives various instructions and information from other devices and transmits status information obtained by the automated storage device 200 to other devices.

[0041] Next, the retrieval process in the production system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the reel retrieval process, which is a first embodiment of the automatic storage method according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the reel retrieval process operation. Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), in the automatic storage device 200, an empty rack 10 is held in the rack holding section 220 by the latch mechanism 224 while being positioned at the transfer position Pt1, and preparations for retrieval of the reels RL stored in the automatic storage device 200 have been completed. Note that an empty rack 10 means a state in which no reels RL are stored in any of the multiple storage slots 12 formed by dividing the internal space of the rack 10 with partition plates.

[0042] In addition, in the production management device 300, the system management control unit 310 operates according to a preset program to create a production plan for producing component-mounted boards by mounting components onto boards using component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 (step S31). The system management control unit 310 also stores storage information in a memory unit (not shown) that associates the types of reels RL stored in the automatic storage device 200 with their storage locations (storage shelf information) in the automatic storage device 200. Furthermore, the system management control unit 310 issues various instructions to component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 in accordance with the production plan to produce component-mounted boards, and also monitors the progress of production based on various information sent from component mounting devices MC1 to MC3. When the number of remaining components in component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 becomes low, the system management control unit 310 determines that it is necessary to ship the reels RL around which the carrier tape storing the components is wound ("YES" in step S32). Furthermore, the determination that the reel RL needs to be shipped may be based on a mid-shipment shipping request from the operator OP, in addition to the production progress status. That is, the operator OP may determine that the reel RL needs to be shipped based on the operating status of the component mounting devices MC1 to MC3, rules of thumb, etc. ("YES" in step S41). In this case, the operator OP operates the mobile terminal 400 to instruct the production management device 300 to ship the reel mid-shipment (step S42). As described above, in this embodiment, the system management control unit 310 creates a shipping order list (step S33) triggered by its own determination (step S32) or a mid-shipment shipping instruction (step S42).

[0043] FIG. 7 shows an example of a shipping order list. The shipping order list shows in table form the relationship between the shipping order, reel identification code, storage shelf information, and the position of the storage slot 12 (hereinafter referred to as "slot position information"). Note that the "storage shelf information" in the figure indicates the coordinate positions (Y coordinate, Z coordinate) of the storage shelves arranged in a matrix in the YZ directions. Also, the "slot position information" in the figure indicates the Z coordinate of the storage slots 12 arranged in a stack in the Z direction, with "1" indicating the topmost storage slot 12. In this way, in this embodiment, the slot position information corresponds to an example of "information regarding the storage slot to which the component storage body should be transferred" of the present invention.

[0044] The system management control unit 310 transmits the created shipping order list to the storage control unit 230 of the automated storage device 200, and repeatedly executes steps S34 to S36. That is, the system management control unit 310 checks the production progress of component-mounted boards based on various information sequentially transmitted from each unit of the production system 100 (step S34). Then, while no change in the shipping order occurs in step S35, it receives a notification that the reel RL has been stored in the storage slot 12 (step S36). Here, the system management control unit 310 may update the shipping status based on the storage notification and transmit the shipping status to the mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP. As a result, the shipping status is displayed on the touch panel 420 of the mobile terminal 400. The operator OP can accurately grasp the shipping status in real time. After that, the process returns to step S34 and repeats the above process. On the other hand, if a change in the shipping order occurs during the above process due to, for example, an intermediate shipping request from the operator OP ("YES" in step S35), the system management control unit 310 returns to step S33 and creates a new shipping order list taking into account the change in the shipping order.

[0045] Furthermore, while the production of component-mounted boards is in progress, the system management control unit 310 receives information that all of the reels RL to be shipped from the automated storage device 200 have been stored in the racks 10, as will be described below. The system management control unit 310 then transmits a transfer completion report message to the mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP, reporting that all of the reels RL to be shipped have been transferred to the racks 10 (step S37). The mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP then receives the message and displays it on the touch panel 420.

[0046] The storage control unit 230 of the automated storage device 200, which has received the shipping order list from the system management control unit 310, confirms the shipping order list (step S21). The storage control unit 230 then confirms, in order of shipping order, the coordinate positions (Y coordinate, Z coordinate) of the storage shelf where the reel RL to be shipped is stored and the Z coordinate of the storage slot 12 where the reel RL should be stored (step S22). Subsequently, the storage control unit 230 causes the transfer unit 250 to transfer the reel RL to the rack 10 (step S23). That is, the transfer unit 250 accesses the storage shelf confirmed in step S22 and removes the reel RL with the reel gripping hand 252. Subsequently, while holding the reel RL with the reel gripping hand 252, the transfer unit 250 moves to the vicinity of the storage slot 12 confirmed in step S22, and the reel gripping hand 252 delivers the reel RL to the storage slot 12.

[0047] When the transfer of one reel RL is completed in this manner, the storage control unit 230 determines whether or not all reels RL listed in the shipping order list have been stored in the racks 10 (step S24). While the determination in step S24 is "NO," the storage control unit 230 returns to step S21 and repeats the transfer of the next reel RL.

[0048] On the other hand, if step S24 returns "YES," that is, if it is confirmed that the reel RL listed at the end of the shipping order list has been stored in the rack 10 as shown by the dashed line in Figure 6(b), the storage control unit 230 sends a notification to the system management control unit 310 that all of the reels RL to be shipped have been stored in the rack 10, as described above. As a result, a transfer completion report message is displayed on the mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP via the system management control unit 310 (step S43).

[0049] In parallel with this, the storage control unit 230 enables the operator OP to transport the reel RL using the rack 10. More specifically, the storage control unit 230 rotates the movable lever 225 counterclockwise in the figure by issuing a hold release command to the latch drive unit 226. This releases the hold of the rack 10 by the movable lever 225, and allows the rack 10 to move in the (+X) direction without interfering with the movable lever 225.

[0050] Then, the operator OP, having seen the transfer completion report message, moves to the automated storage device 200 with the empty rack 10 in his / her possession. Then, when the storage control unit 230 confirms that the operator OP has opened the front door 212, it issues a carry-out command to the carry-in / out drive unit 222. In response to this command, the carry-in / out drive unit 222 carries the rack 10 storing multiple reels RL out of the transfer position Pt1 in the (+X) direction, as shown in FIG. 6(c), and positions it at a position where the operator OP can easily pick it up, i.e., the delivery position Pd1 (step S26). At this time, the storage control unit 230 may notify the production management device 300 that preparations for carrying out the rack 10 have been completed. The system management control unit 310, upon receiving this command, transmits the completion of the carry-out preparations to the operator OP's mobile terminal 400, whereby the completion of the carry-out preparations is displayed on the touch panel 420 of the mobile terminal 400, thereby notifying the operator OP.

[0051] The operator OP picks up the rack 10 containing the reels from the delivery position Pd1 (step S44), and then places the empty rack 10 at the delivery position Pd1 (step S45). When the operator OP notifies the automated storage device 200 that this placement process is complete, the storage control unit 230 of the automated storage device 200 issues a carry-in command to the carry-in / out driver 222. In response to this, the carry-in / out driver 222 carries the empty rack 10 from the delivery position Pd1 to the transfer position Pt1 and positions it, as shown in FIG. 6(a) (step S27). The storage control unit 230 also controls the latch driver 226 so that the empty rack 10 is held in the rack holder 220 by the latch mechanism 224. When the preparation for unloading is thus completed, the operator OP closes the front door 212 and then carries the rack 10 containing the reels to one of the component mounters MC1 to MC3 where the reels are to be replenished.

[0052] As described above, according to the first embodiment, after the multiple reels RL that are the subject of the retrieval request are transferred to the storage slots 12 of the rack 10, the rack 10 can be carried out from the automated storage device 200 through the opening 211 while storing these reels RL. Therefore, the operator OP can collectively retrieve the multiple reels RL from the automated storage device 200 by carrying out the rack 10. As a result, the multiple reels RL can be efficiently retrieved.

[0053] Furthermore, since the transfer unit 250 transfers the reel RL to the storage slot 12 while the latch mechanism 224 is holding the rack 10, the transfer operation of the reel RL can be performed stably.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rack transport unit 221 is not an essential component. That is, the operator OP can carry the rack 10 into and out of the transfer position Pt1 through the opening 211. However, providing the rack transport unit 221 provides the following advantageous effects. According to the above embodiment, the operator OP places an empty rack 10 on the (+X) direction side of the rack transport unit 221, i.e., at the delivery position Pd1. The rack 10 is then automatically transported to the transfer position Pt1 by the rack transport unit 221. When picking up a rack 10 containing a reel, the rack 10 has been delivered to the delivery position Pd1, so the operator can simply receive the rack 10 at the delivery position Pd1. Therefore, the operability of the operator OP is significantly improved compared to when the rack transport unit 221 is not provided. Furthermore, instead of the operator OP, an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle), such as an automated guided vehicle or an automatic transport robot, may be configured to transport the rack 10. The AGV corresponds to an example of the "transportation device" of the present invention, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0055] Although the above embodiment has been described regarding the retrieval of reels RL from the automated storage device 200, the retrieval of reels RL into the automated storage device 200 can also be performed. That is, when a rack 10 containing reels RL to be stored in the automated storage device 200 is placed at the delivery position Pd1 by an operator OP or an AGV, the rack transport unit 221 carries the rack 10 to the transfer position Pt1. Then, in the reverse operation of the retrieval operation, the reels RL are transferred from the rack 10 to a storage shelf in the storage unit 240. That is, the retrieval control unit 232 of the storage control unit 230 controls the transfer unit 250 so that multiple reels RL that are the subject of a retrieval request are transferred to the storage shelf in the storage unit 240, respectively, according to the storage information. As with the retrieval operation, the retrieval operation can also improve work efficiency. Furthermore, an AGV may be configured to transport the rack 10 instead of the operator OP. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 12.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, if a change occurs in the shipping order ("YES" in step S35), the shipping order list is created again taking the change in shipping order into account. Therefore, even if there is a change in the progress of production, it is possible to flexibly respond. Note that in the first embodiment, the shipping order is changed in response to a change in the progress of production, but it is also possible to configure so that the transfer of reels RL is suspended. For example, there may be an extremely low supply of a specific component, and priority is given to the shipping of a reel RL on which a carrier tape containing that component is wound. In this case, if that reel RL has already been stored in a rack 10, it is desirable to suspend the additional transfer and prioritize the removal of that rack 10. This suspension of shipping makes it possible to appropriately respond to changes in the progress of production.

[0057] In the first embodiment described above, the opening 211, the transfer position Pt1, the delivery position Pd1, the rack holding unit 220, the rack transport unit 221, and the latch mechanism 224 correspond to examples of the "first opening," "first transfer position," "first delivery position," "first rack holding unit," "first rack transport unit," and "first rack fixing mechanism" of the present invention, respectively. Also, the touch panel 420 of the mobile terminal 400 corresponds to an example of the "notification unit" of the present invention, and the message displayed on the touch panel 420 corresponds to an example of the "notification" of the present invention.

[0058] Incidentally, it is desirable to use a configuration of the rack 10 that corresponds to the size of the reel RL, particularly the reel diameter. The reel diameters of reels RL currently on the market are roughly divided into 7 inches (hereinafter referred to as "small reel diameter") and 13 to 15 inches (hereinafter referred to as "large reel diameter"). Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is conceivable to prepare a rack 10A dedicated to small reels, a rack 10B that can be used for both large and small reels, and a rack 10C dedicated to large reels. Then, an appropriate one of the above three types may be selected depending on the reel diameter of the reel RL to be retrieved and placed at the delivery position Pd1. This increases the number of reels RL that can be retrieved or stored per transaction, thereby improving the efficiency of retrieving and retrieving reels RL.

[0059] It is also desirable to use different storage slots depending on the reel diameter of the reel RL. In particular, it is not possible to store large reels in the storage slots 12 provided in the rack 10A dedicated to small reels. Therefore, it is desirable to configure the system management control unit 310 to obtain rack structure information related to the storage slots 12 when creating the shipping order list, and to optimize the shipping order. The optimization of the shipping order will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

[0060] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the optimization process for the outgoing order. Here, an example will be described in which 50 reels RL are outgoing from the automated storage device 200 using a rack 10 dedicated to small reels and a rack 10 for both large and small reels. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the explanation will be continued assuming that the rack 10 dedicated to small reels has 30 storage slots 12 for storing reels RL with small reels, while the rack 10 for both large and small reels has 15 storage slots 12 for storing reels RL with small reels and 5 storage slots 12 for storing reels RL with large reels.

[0061] As described above, when reels RL are to be released from the automated storage device 200, the system management control unit 310 creates a release order list, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(a). In this example, a release order list is created for releasing 45 small-diameter reels RL and five large-diameter reels RL. In accordance with this release order list, the automated storage device 200 first releases 20 small-diameter reels RL using a rack 10 specifically designed for small reels. Subsequently, a multi-purpose rack 10 is used second to release the five large-diameter reels RL. In other words, the automated storage device 200 uses the multi-purpose rack 10 to transfer the five large-diameter reels RL to the large-diameter storage slots 12 of that rack 10, and then transfers the small-diameter reels RL to all of the small-diameter storage slots 12. At this stage, it is no longer possible to store reels in the rack 10 for both large and small reels, so the third rack 10 dedicated to small reels is used to retrieve the remaining 10 small diameter reels RL (since there are only 10 remaining, the rack 10 for both large and small reels may also be used).

[0062] The problem with the retrieval order in FIG. 9(a) is that in the 21st retrieval, the retrieval target is switched from a small-diameter reel RL to a large-diameter reel RL. More specifically, the fact that the rack 10 is switched to a rack for both large and small reels, even though there are "10" empty storage slots 12 for small reels, is a factor that reduces retrieval efficiency. Therefore, the system management control unit 310 prioritizes retrieval using a rack 10 for both large and small reels, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 9 (the dotted area in FIG. 9). This reduces the number of times the rack 10 is loaded and unloaded, shortening the time required for retrieval. In this way, the system management control unit 310 functions as the "information acquisition unit" of the present invention, thereby improving retrieval efficiency.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the automatic storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the retrieval operation of the automatic storage device shown in FIG. 10. This second embodiment differs significantly from the automatic storage device 200 (FIG. 3A) according to the first embodiment in that retrieval processing can be performed for two racks 10 in parallel. That is, in addition to the opening 211, an opening 211A is added to the front of the main body 210 of the automatic storage device 200, and a front door 212A is provided for opening and closing the opening 211A. The opening 211A has an opening size corresponding to the rack 10 capable of storing multiple reels RL. Below the front door 212A, a rack holding unit 220A configured similarly to the rack holding unit 220 is added.

[0064] The rack holding unit 220A has a rack transport unit 221A that is configured to be able to move back and forth in the X direction while supporting the rack 10 from below. The rack transport unit 221A is configured by a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or the like, and is provided extending in the X direction below the opening 211A. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the end of the rack transport unit 221A on the (+X) direction side protrudes outside the main body unit 210, and the end on the (-X) direction side enters the inside of the main body unit 210, extending to a transfer position Pt2. Like the rack transport unit 221, the rack transport unit 221A is driven by a carry-in / out drive unit 222 (FIG. 2) and transports the rack 10 between the transfer position Pt2 and a delivery position Pd2. 10 and 11, a stopper member and a latch mechanism are provided for positioning the rack 10 at the transfer position Pt2, and the rack 10 is firmly held by the rack holding unit 220A at the transfer position Pt2. In this way, in the second embodiment, the opening 211A, the transfer position Pt2, the delivery position Pd2, the rack holding unit 220A, the rack transport unit 221A, and the latch mechanism provided in the rack holding unit 220A correspond to examples of the "second opening," "second transfer position," "second delivery position," "second rack holding unit," "second rack transport unit," and "second rack fixing mechanism" of the present invention, respectively.

[0065] In the automated storage device 200 configured as above, the retrieval process is executed for the rack 10 held at either the transfer position Pt1 or Pt2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 11(a), while the transfer section 250 is retrieving the reel RL from the storage section 240 to the rack 10 positioned at the transfer position Pt1, the storage control section 230 determines whether or not an empty rack 10 is held at the transfer position Pt2. Here, if an empty rack 10 is held at the transfer position Pt2, the storage control section 230 continues transferring the reel RL to the rack 10 positioned at the transfer position Pt1 according to the retrieval order list.

[0066] On the other hand, if an empty rack 10 is not held at the transfer position Pt2, the storage control unit 230 notifies the production management device 300 of this fact. The system management control unit 310 of the production management device 300 then sends a message to the mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP, urging the operator OP to place an empty rack 10 at the delivery position Pd2 of the automated storage device 200. The mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP then receives the message and displays it on the touch panel 420. Upon seeing this, the operator OP opens the front door 212A and places an empty rack 10. The storage control unit 230 then issues a command to the carry-in / out drive unit 222 to carry the empty rack 10 from the delivery position Pd2 to the transfer position Pt2. In this way, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the empty rack 10 is positioned and held at the transfer position Pt2 until the retrieval of the reel RL to the rack 10 positioned at the transfer position Pt1 is completed.

[0067] When the unloading of the reels RL to the rack 10 positioned at the transfer position Pt1 is completed, the storage control unit 230 issues a hold release command to the latch drive unit 226 to release the hold on the rack 10. Subsequently, the storage control unit 230 issues a carry-out command to the carry-in / out drive unit 222, and as shown in Figure 11(b), the rack 10 containing multiple reels RL is transported in the (+X) direction from the transfer position Pt1 and positioned at a position where it is easy for the worker OP to pick it up, that is, at the delivery position Pd1.

[0068] When this positioning is completed, the storage control unit 230 notifies the production management device 300 of this fact. Upon receiving this, the system management control unit 310 of the production management device 300 transmits to the mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP a message informing the operator OP that the rack 10 containing the released reel RL is located at the delivery position Pd1, and urging the operator OP to place an empty rack 10 at the delivery position Pd1 after receiving the rack 10.

[0069] The mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP then receives the message and displays it on the touch panel 420. Seeing this, the operator OP moves to the delivery position Pd1 of the automated storage device 200, picks up the rack 10 containing the reel from the delivery position Pd1, and then places the empty rack 10 at the delivery position Pd1. When the operator OP notifies the automated storage device 200 that this placement process is complete, the storage control unit 230 of the automated storage device 200 issues a carry-in command to the carry-in / out drive unit 222, and carries the empty rack 10 from the delivery position Pd1 to the transfer position Pt1 and positions it there. In this way, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the empty rack 10 is positioned and held at the transfer position Pt1 until the retrieval of the reel RL to the rack 10 positioned at the transfer position Pt2 is completed.

[0070] When the unloading of the reels RL to the rack 10 positioned at the transfer position Pt2 is completed, the storage control unit 230 issues a hold release command to the latch drive unit 226 to release the hold on the rack 10. Subsequently, the storage control unit 230 issues a carry-out command to the carry-in / out drive unit 222 to transport the rack 10 containing multiple reels RL in the (+X) direction from the transfer position Pt2 and position it at a position where it is easy for the worker OP to pick it up, that is, at the delivery position Pd2.

[0071] When this positioning is complete, the storage control unit 230 notifies the production management device 300 of this fact. Receiving this, the system management control unit 310 of the production management device 300 sends a message to the mobile terminal 400 of the operator OP informing them that the rack 10 containing the unloaded reels RL is located at the delivery position Pd1 and urging them to place an empty rack 10 at the delivery position Pd1 after receiving the rack 10. By repeating this unloading process, a large amount of reels RL can be efficiently unloaded from the automated storage device 200.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the operator OP transports the racks 10 between the component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 and the automatic storage device 200, but the outgoing process can be automated by using an AGV. The same applies to the incoming process.

[0073] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a warehousing process in the production system according to the present invention. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warehousing process in the production system according to the present invention. Arrows AR1 to AR4 in Fig. 12 respectively indicate AR1: Operator OP stores reels in the rack AR2: Rack transportation by AGV from the storage preparation area to the reel storage area AR3: Rack loading operation from AGV to automated storage device 200 AR4: Reel storage operation from rack 10 to storage unit 240 In addition, arrows AR5 to AR8 in FIG. AR5: Reel storage operation from storage unit 240 to rack 10 AR6: Rack removal from the automated storage device 200 to the AGV AR7: Rack transportation by AGV from the reel storage area to the component mounting area AR8: Operator OP places reels from rack 10 onto component mounting devices MC1 to MC3 In this way, by using AGVs, it is possible to automate most of the storage and retrieval processes for reels RL, further improving work efficiency. In the production system 100 shown in Figures 12 and 13, the system management control unit 310 of the production management device 300 controls the AGVs and functions as the "transport control unit" of the present invention.

[0074] In addition, in the production system 100 shown in FIG. 13, an AGV may also be used for empty racks 10. When transporting empty racks 10 by an AGV, it is desirable to prepare a plurality of empty racks 10 with different storage slot structures, as shown in FIG. 8, and transfer one rack from among them to the AGV. In this case, a rack supply position where the rack 10 can be transferred to the AGV may be provided, and the rack supply unit may supply the selected rack 10 to the rack supply position. Furthermore, when selecting a rack 10, the system management control unit 310 selects an empty rack having a storage slot structure that maximizes the capacity of reels RL when used to retrieval of reels RL from the automated storage device 200 to component mounters MC1 to MC3. In this way, the system management control unit 310 functions as the "rack selection unit" of the present invention.

[0075] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, various messages are configured to be displayed on the mobile terminal 400, but they may also be configured to be displayed on a large monitor (not shown) installed in a warehousing preparation area, a reel storage area, a component mounting area, or the like, in addition to the mobile terminal 400.

[0076] In addition, one operator OP performs the inventory processing for multiple component mounting devices MC1 to MC3, but the same message may also be displayed on the mobile terminal 400 when multiple operators share the inventory processing and inventory processing.

[0077] In addition, in the above embodiment, various messages are displayed on the mobile terminal 400 or a large monitor to visually notify the operator OP, but the message may be audible along with or instead of the above display.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the reels RL are stored in the automatic storage device 200, but the "component storage body" of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to, for example, an automatic storage device that stores trays for storing components, an automatic storage system and automatic storage method that store trays using the automatic storage device, and a production system that produces component-mounted boards using trays stored in the automatic storage device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0079] The present invention can be applied to the general automatic storage technology for storing component storage bodies (reels, trays, etc.) that store components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10, 10A~10C...Rack 12...(rack) storage slot 100...Production System 200…Automatic storage device 210...Main body 211...(First) Opening 211A…(2nd) opening 220...(first) rack holding section 220A...(Second) rack holder 221...(First) rack transport section 221A...(Second) rack transport section 224...Latch mechanism (first rack fixing mechanism) 224A...Latch mechanism (second rack fixing mechanism) 230...Storage control unit 231...Shipping control unit 232...Storage control unit 233...Loading / unloading control unit 240...Storage Department 250...Transfer section 300...Production control device 310...System management control unit 311…Information Management Department 312...Shipping Information Creation Department 313...Message Creation Department 400...Mobile devices 420...Touch panel (alarm unit) OP...operator Pd1...(1st) delivery position Pd2...(2nd) delivery position Pt1,Pt2…transfer position RL...Reel (component storage unit) X: Loading / unloading direction

Claims

1. a main body having a first opening through which a rack can be carried in and out, the first opening having a plurality of storage slots through which component storage bodies storing components can be freely inserted and removed; a first rack holding unit that holds the rack carried into the main body through the first opening at a first transfer position; a storage section capable of storing a plurality of the component storage bodies inside the main body; a transfer unit that transfers the component storage unit between the rack at the first transfer position and the storage unit; a storage control unit that controls the transfer unit, the storage control unit has a retrieval control unit that controls the transfer unit so that the plurality of component storage units that are the subject of retrieval requests are transferred to the storage slots, The first rack holding portion is a first rack fixing mechanism that fixes the rack at the first transfer position; a first rack transport unit that extends between a first delivery position that projects out on the opposite side of the first transfer position across the first opening and the first transfer position, and that transports the rack between the first delivery position and the first transfer position; The first rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the first transfer position by the first rack transport unit to the first rack transport unit, and releases the rack from the first rack transport unit after the plurality of component storage units that are the subject of a retrieval request are accommodated in the rack, thereby enabling the first rack transport unit to transport the rack to the first delivery position. An automatic storage device characterized by:

2. (delete)

3. (delete)

4. The automatic storage device according to claim 1, a second rack holding unit that holds the rack, which has been carried into the main body through a second opening provided in the main body at a position different from the first opening, at a second transfer position different from the first transfer position; The transfer unit is an automatic storage device that transfers the component storage unit between the rack at the second transfer position and the storage unit.

5. The automatic storage device according to claim 4, The second rack holding unit is an automatic storage device having a second rack fixing mechanism that fixes the rack at the second transfer position.

6. The automatic storage device according to claim 5, the second rack holding unit has a second rack transport unit that transports the rack between a second delivery position located on the opposite side of the second opening from the second transfer position and the second transfer position, The second rack fixing mechanism fixes the rack transported to the second transfer position by the second rack transport unit to the second rack transport unit, and after the multiple part storage units that are the subject of an out-of-stock request are each stored in the rack, releases the rack from being fixed to the second rack transport unit, allowing the second rack transport unit to transport the rack to the second delivery position.

7. The automatic storage device according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 6, The storage control unit is an automatic storage device that has an entry control unit that controls the transfer unit so that the multiple component storage units stored in the storage slots are transferred to the storage unit when a request is made to enter the storage unit.

8. The automatic storage device according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 7, an information management unit that manages storage information that associates the type of the component storage object with a storage location in the storage unit for each component storage object stored in the storage unit; a shipping information creation unit that creates, for each of the component storage objects that are the subject of a shipping request, shipping information including a shipping order of the component storage objects by the transfer unit so that the component storage object is transferred to the storage slot based on the storage information corresponding to the component storage object, An automatic storage system characterized in that the storage control unit controls the transfer unit to transfer the part storage unit from the storage unit to the rack in accordance with the shipping information created by the shipping information creation unit.

9. 9. The automated storage system of claim 8, the information management unit further manages a production plan for producing component-mounted boards by mounting the components on boards using a component mounting device; The delivery information creation unit is an automated storage system that determines the part storage units to be delivered based on the production plan received from the information management unit.

10. an automatic storage device comprising: a main body section provided with a first opening through which a rack can be carried in and out, the main body section having a plurality of storage slots through which component storage units containing components can be freely inserted and removed; a first rack holding section that holds the rack carried into the main body section through the first opening at a first transfer position; a storage section capable of storing a plurality of component storage units within the main body section; a transfer section that transfers the component storage units between the rack at the first transfer position and the storage section; and a storage control section that controls the transfer section, wherein the storage control section has an retrieval control section that controls the transfer section so that the plurality of component storage units that are the subject of retrieval requests are each transferred to the storage slot; an information management unit that manages storage information that associates the type of the component storage object with a storage location in the storage unit for each component storage object stored in the storage unit; a shipping information creation unit that creates, for each of the component storage objects that are the subject of a shipping request, shipping information including a shipping order of the component storage objects by the transfer unit so that the component storage object is transferred to the storage slot based on the storage information corresponding to the component storage object, the storage control unit controls the transfer unit to transfer the component storage unit from the storage unit to the rack in accordance with the delivery information created by the delivery information creation unit; the information management unit further manages a production plan for producing component-mounted boards by mounting the components on boards using a component mounting device; the delivery information creation unit determines the part storage unit to be delivered based on the production plan received from the information management unit; the information management unit manages the production status of the component mounting boards by the component mounting device, The shipping information creation unit determines whether to change the shipping order or suspend shipping based on the production status received from the information management unit, The storage control unit controls the transfer unit to transfer the part storage units from the storage unit to the rack in the changed order of shipment when the shipment information creation unit changes the shipment order, and to suspend the transfer of the part storage units from the storage unit to the rack when the shipment information creation unit suspends shipment.

11. 11. The automated storage system of claim 10, a notification unit that notifies a delivery status of the component storage body to the rack, The storage control unit controls the notification unit so that a change in the outgoing order is notified when there is a change in the outgoing order, and a shipping interruption is notified when there is an interruption in the transfer of the part storage body to the rack.

12. 11. The automated storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, a notification unit that notifies a delivery status of the component storage body to the rack, The storage control unit controls the notification unit so that the completion of preparation for removal of the rack is notified when the transfer of the part storage units according to the order of removal is completed.

13. 13. The automated storage system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, an information acquisition unit that acquires rack structure information relating to the structure of the plurality of storage slots provided in the rack; The automatic storage system is one in which the inventory information creation unit creates, for each component storage item to be shipped, information regarding the storage slot among the plurality of storage slots to which the component storage item should be transferred, along with the order of shipment, based on the type of component storage item and the rack structure information.

14. An automatic storage method for retrieving a plurality of the component storage units using the automatic storage device according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 7, comprising: holding the empty rack, in which the component storage bodies are not stored in the plurality of storage slots, at a first transfer position; transferring each of the component storage units that are the subject of a shipping request to the storage slot of the rack held at the first transfer position; a step of confirming that the plurality of component storage units that are the subject of a shipping request have been accommodated in the rack, and then releasing the rack and informing the user that shipping preparations have been completed; An automatic storage method comprising:

15. A production system that produces component-mounted boards using a component mounting device, The automatic storage device according to claim 1; a transport device that transports the rack between the automatic storage device and the component mounting device; a transport control unit that controls the transport device so that the rack, which has been transported to the first transfer position after the plurality of component storage bodies have been stored in the automatic storage device, is transported to the component mounting device; A production system comprising:

16. 16. The production system of claim 15, a rack supply unit that selectively supplies one rack from a plurality of empty racks having different storage slot structures to a rack supply position where the rack can be delivered to the transport device; a rack selection unit that selects an empty rack having a storage slot structure that maximizes the storage capacity of the component storage objects when used to deliver the component storage objects from the automatic storage device to the component mounting device, the rack supply unit supplies the rack determined by the rack selection unit to the rack supply position; The transport control unit controls the transport device so that the racks are transported from the rack supply unit to the automatic storage device.

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