Support programs, support devices, and support methods

Abstract

The program causes the support device (10) to function as a reception unit (11), a storage unit (13), and a display control unit (14). The reception unit (11) receives specifications for mechanism conditions relating to the mechanism through which power is transmitted to the motors and drives, and the range of attribute values ​​that the motors and drives should have as conditions for procuring or installing the motors and drives. The storage unit (13) stores output attribute information (131) for each of the multiple motors and multiple drives, relating the output value of the motor and drive to the attribute values ​​of the motor and drive. The display control unit (14) displays on the display unit (15) a list of combinations of motors and drives from among the multiple motor and drive combinations indicated by the output attribute information (131) that have output values ​​that conform to the mechanism conditions and attribute values ​​that fall within the specified range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support program, a support device, and a support method.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of FA (Factory Automation), processes typified by manufacturing, assembly, processing, and conveyance are carried out using motor-related devices including various motors and drive devices for the motors. In order to design a line for carrying out such processes, it is necessary to select the motor-related devices to be installed, but this selection is a complicated task. Specifically, it is necessary to derive the performance that the motor-related devices should exhibit with respect to the content of the process and to determine an appropriate combination of two or more motor-related devices, and there are many matters to be considered in the selection.

[0003] Therefore, technologies for assisting in the selection of motor-related devices have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which, when conditions and the required number regarding the performance of a motor are input from a user, a motor that satisfies the conditions regarding the performance of the motor is selected, and an amplifier that can drive the selected motor is selected so that the total number of installed amplifiers is minimized according to the required number, and the selected amplifier is displayed together with the motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When selecting motor-related equipment, users may have requirements other than performance and quantity. However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, motors and amplifiers are selected without considering such requirements, so the motors and amplifiers displayed as candidates may be unsuitable for the user's needs. Therefore, there is room to support the selection of appropriate motor-related equipment in accordance with the user's requirements.

[0006] This disclosure is made under the circumstances described above and aims to assist users in selecting appropriate motor-related equipment in accordance with their needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the support program of this disclosure provides a computer that assists in the selection of a power device, which is a motor or a combination of a motor and a drive device that drives the motor, as a receiving means that accepts the specification of mechanical conditions relating to the mechanism through which the power of the power device to be installed is transmitted, and the range of attribute values ​​that are different from the performance exhibited when the power device is operating, and which the power device should have as a condition for procuring or installing the power device; a storage means that stores output attribute information that associates a value indicating the output of the power device with the attribute values ​​of the power device for each of a plurality of power devices; and a display control means that displays on a display device a list of power devices among the plurality of power devices indicated by the output attribute information that have an output value that conforms to the mechanical conditions and whose attribute values ​​fall within the range. The receiving means accepts the setting of adjustment priorities for the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, respectively, when none of the multiple power units indicated by the output attribute information meet the attribute condition that the mechanism conditions and attribute values ​​are within the specified range. The display control means adjusts the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions in order from the condition with the highest adjustment priority, so that when the multiple power units indicated by the output attribute information include a power unit that newly meets the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, the display device displays information about the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions and the newly meeting power unit. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to assist in selecting appropriate motor-related equipment in accordance with the user's requirements. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the functional configuration of the support device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2]Figure showing the hardware configuration of the support device according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Figure showing an example of output attribute information according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Figure showing an example of standard area information according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the support process according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Figure showing an example of the input screen for mechanism conditions according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Figure showing an example of a machine type according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 8] Figure showing an example of the input screen for attribute conditions according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 9] Figure showing an example of the input screen for area conditions according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 10] Figure showing an example of the display of a list of combinations of motors and drives according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 11] Flowchart showing the support process according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 12] Figure showing an example of the input screen for priorities according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 13] Figure showing an example of the display of a list of combinations of motors and drives according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 14] Figure showing an example of attribute conditions according to Embodiment 3 <000,0083>Figure showing an example of the display of a list of combinations of motors and drives according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 16] Flowchart showing the support process according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 17] [[ID=F]]Flowchart showing the adjustment process according to Embodiment 4 i [Figure 18] Figure showing an example of the display of a list of combinations of motors and drives according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 19] Figure showing an example of adjustment according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 20] Figure showing an example of the display of a list of combinations after adjustment according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 21] Flowchart showing the adjustment process according to Embodiment S [Figure 22] Figure showing an example of a list of combinations of a motor and a drive according to Embodiment 5 [Figure 23] Figure showing an example of an input screen for adjustment priority according to Embodiment 5 [Figure 24] Figure showing an example of adjustment according to Embodiment 5 [Figure 25] Figure showing an example of a display of a list of combinations after adjustment according to Embodiment 5 [Figure 26] Figure showing the configuration of an assistance device according to a modification example

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the assistance device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the assistance device 10 is a device that assists the user U1 in selecting a motor and a drive by displaying information on the motor and the drive that drives the motor based on the request received from the user U1. The assistance device 10 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The requests received by the assistance device 10 from the user U1 include conditions other than the performance of the motor and the drive. The drive is, for example, a servo amplifier or an inverter, but is not limited thereto, and may be other driving devices.

[0012] The assistance device 10 has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 2. The assistance device 10 is configured as a computer having a processor 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, an input unit 104, an output unit 105, and a communication unit 106. The main storage unit 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, the input unit 104, the output unit 105, and the communication unit 106 are all connected to the processor 101 via an internal bus 107.

[0013] The processor 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processing circuit. The processor 101 performs various functions and executes the processes described later by executing program P1 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103. Program P1 is an example of a support program.

[0014] The main memory unit 102 includes RAM (Random Access Memory). Program P1 is loaded into the main memory unit 102 from the auxiliary memory unit 103. The main memory unit 102 is then used as a workspace for the processor 101.

[0015] The auxiliary storage unit 103 includes non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In addition to program P1, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores various data used in the processing of the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 supplies data to the processor 101 according to the instructions of the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 also stores data supplied from the processor 101.

[0016] The input unit 104 includes input components such as hardware switches, input keys, a keyboard, and a pointing device. The input unit 104 acquires information entered by the user of the support device 10 and notifies the processor 101 of the acquired information.

[0017] The output unit 105 includes output components such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a speaker. The output unit 105 presents various information to the user according to instructions from the processor 101.

[0018] The communication unit 106 includes a communication interface circuit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 106 receives a signal from an external source and outputs the data indicated by this signal to the processor 101. The communication unit 106 also transmits a signal indicating the data output from the processor 101 to the external device. Note that if the support device 10 does not communicate with an external device, the communication unit 106 may be omitted when configuring the support device 10.

[0019] The hardware configuration described above works together to enable the support device 10 to perform various functions. In detail, as shown in Figure 1, the support device 10 includes a reception unit 11 that receives information input by user U1, a calculation unit 12 that calculates the output that the motor and drive should produce, a storage unit 13 that stores various information, a display control unit 14 that controls the content displayed to user U1, and a display unit 15 that displays selection candidates for the motor and drive.

[0020] The reception unit 11 is primarily implemented by the input unit 104. The reception unit 11 receives conditions regarding the mechanism through which power is transmitted for the motor and drive to be installed, and conditions regarding other attributes that the motor and drive should have. The reception unit 11 notifies the calculation unit 12 of the received conditions.

[0021] The calculation unit 12 is primarily implemented by the processor 101. The calculation unit 12 calculates the required performance for the motor and drive based on the conditions related to the mechanism. The calculation unit 12 notifies the display control unit 14 of the information indicating the calculated required performance, along with the attribute conditions received from the reception unit 11.

[0022] The storage unit 13 is primarily implemented by the auxiliary storage unit 103. The storage unit 13 stores output attribute information 131 indicating the output and attribute values ​​for multiple motors and drives that could be candidates for selection, and standard region information 132 indicating the standards for the motors and drives and the regions in which those standards should be followed.

[0023] As illustrated in Figure 3, the output attribute information 131 is a database that shows, for each of multiple motors, the ID (Identifier) ​​for identifying the motor, the output, and attributes such as price, delivery date, size, and weight, as well as the compliant standards, in relation to each other, and similar items are shown in relation to each other for multiple drives.

[0024] The ID may be the name or model number. Output refers to the rated output, also called capacity. Alternatively, instead of, or together with, capacity in kW units, specification values ​​such as rated torque and maximum torque may be treated as output. Price may be the sales price or the lease price. Delivery date indicates the earliest possible date on which the motor or drive can be shipped, or the earliest possible date on which it can be delivered to the delivery address set by user U1. Delivery date may be expressed in the format of year, month, and day, or in the format of the number of days from the present until shipment or delivery. Size refers to the external dimensions of width, height, and depth. Applicable standards may be, for example, international standards, national standards, or regional standards, but are not limited to these, and may include other standards.

[0025] The memory unit 13 is an example of a storage means that stores output attribute information for each of a plurality of motors and drives, relating a value indicating the output of the motor and drive, an attribute value of the motor and drive, and one of the standards among a plurality of standards to which the motor and drive conforms.

[0026] Standard Regional Information 132 is a database that, as illustrated in Figure 4, indicates one or more regions that should comply with the respective standards for motors and drives. Regions that should comply with the standards may also include regions where compliance is recommended, and regions where compensation or warranties are available for compliance. Note that the following explanation uses examples that do not distinguish between motor standards and drive standards, but drive standards may be treated separately from motor standards.

[0027] The display control unit 14 is primarily implemented by the processor 101. Based on information obtained from the arithmetic unit 12, the display control unit 14 refers to the storage unit 13 to generate display data for displaying support information. The display control unit 14 then outputs the display data to the display unit 15, thereby displaying the support information on the display unit 15. The display unit 15 is primarily implemented by the output unit 105.

[0028] Next, the support processing performed by the support device 10 will be explained in detail using Figures 5 to 10. Note that the flowchart described below is schematic to facilitate understanding of the processing flow, and the order of each step may be changed as desired. The support processing shown in Figure 5 is an example of a support method performed by the support device.

[0029] In the support process, the reception unit 11 receives the specification of mechanism conditions and attribute conditions from the user U1, and, if necessary, the specification of the installation area (step S1). Specifically, the reception unit 11 displays an input form for selection conditions as illustrated in Figure 6. The selection conditions include mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, and represent the conditions for user U1 to select a motor and drive.

[0030] This input form is used to first input the mechanism conditions. The mechanism conditions are the conditions related to the mechanism through which the motor's power is transmitted. For example, in the "Machine Type" item at the top of the input form shown in Figure 6, user U1 selects the "Ball Screw" type from several types. In addition to ball screws, machine types include rack and pinion, roll feed, rotary table, trolley, elevator, conveyor, fan, and other types.

[0031] The ball screw mechanism, as shown in Figure 7, includes a drive 21, a motor 22 driven by the drive 21, a gear section 23 that transmits power from the motor 22 to the screw shaft 24, a table 25 that moves due to the rotation of the screw shaft 24, a load 26 which is a workpiece placed on the table 25, and a counterweight 27. To further define this mechanism, the inclination θ of the shaft and the moment of inertia J of the motor end in the gear section 23 are specified. OM And the moment of inertia J at the opposite end of the machine OL And the mass W of the table T And the load mass W L The load resistance force F is applied to the screw shaft 24 by the table 25 and the load 26. C and ball screw lead P B And the mass W of counterweight 27 CW An input field for machine specifications, including the above, is displayed as shown in Figure 6, and the machine specifications values ​​are entered into this input field. When a machine type other than a ball screw is selected, the dimensions, weight, and other elements of the selected type of mechanism are entered.

[0032] Furthermore, the mechanism conditions include not only the machine type and machine specifications, but also an operating pattern that represents the time variation of the motor's operation. As shown by the thick arrow in Figure 7, the time variation of the velocity V when the table 25 moves along the axis is shown in graph form in Figure 6. This operating pattern is specified by user U1 using any input method. Note that the parameters defining the operating pattern are not limited to velocity V, but may also be the position or acceleration of the table 25. In addition, for machine types other than ball screws, the operating pattern may be defined by parameters appropriate for that machine type. Furthermore, the change patterns of machine elements other than the motor that change over time may also be defined.

[0033] Furthermore, the reception unit 11 accepts the specification of attribute conditions via the input screen illustrated in Figure 8. Here, attribute conditions refer to the attributes that the motor and drive should possess as conditions for user U1 to procure or install the motor and drive. Specifically, the range of values ​​for the attribute that user U1 requests for the motor and drive to be introduced is entered. For each of the attribute items, such as price, delivery date, size, and weight, the values ​​for the motor and the drive may be specified separately. The range only needs to have at least one of the upper and lower limits defined. For price, the total price of the motor and drive may be entered.

[0034] Furthermore, the size may be specified not by numerical external dimensions, but by inputting CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data indicating the space in which at least one of the motor and drive will be installed. The CAD data is data usable with CAD and conforms to a file format such as DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) or DWG.

[0035] Furthermore, the reception unit 11 accepts the designation of the installation area where the motor and drive are planned to be installed via the input screen illustrated in Figure 9. The installation area refers to the area where the motor and drive will be installed and operated, and in cases where products incorporating the motor and drive are exported and sold in foreign countries, it refers to the destination.

[0036] The reception unit 11 corresponds to an example of a reception means that receives specifications for mechanical conditions relating to the mechanism through which power is transmitted for the motor and drive to be installed, and for the range of attribute values ​​that are different from the performance exhibited when the motor and drive are operating, and which are conditions for procuring or installing the motor and drive.

[0037] Returning to Figure 5, following step S1, the calculation unit 12 calculates the required performance of the motor and drive based on the mechanism conditions acquired in step S1 (step S2). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 calculates the performance that the motor and drive should exhibit in order to realize the input operating pattern in a mechanism whose details are defined by the input machine specifications. The calculated performance may be, for example, the maximum value of the torque curve. To calculate the required performance, the calculation unit 12 may refer to the information in the storage unit 13, or may use other information as appropriate.

[0038] Next, the display control unit 14 searches for a motor and drive combination from the motors and drives indicated by the output attribute information 131 of the storage unit 13 that has an output that satisfies the required performance calculated in step S2 and conforms to the attribute conditions acquired in step S1 (step S3). If the size of the motor or drive is specified by inputting CAD data, the display control unit 14 acquires the installation location and installable size of both or one of the motor and drive from the drawing indicated by the CAD data, and treats the acquired installable size in the same way as the size specified by a numerical value. Alternatively, the reception unit 11 may acquire the size as an attribute condition by displaying the installable size obtained from the CAD data to the user U1 and prompting the user to input a numerical value.

[0039] Next, the display control unit 14 determines whether or not it has received the installation area specification in step S1 (step S4). If it determines that it has not received the installation area specification (step S4; No), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if it determines that it has received the installation area specification (step S4; Yes), the display control unit 14 further searches the search results from step S3 for motor and drive combinations that conform to the corresponding standard in the standard area information 132 for the received installation area specification (step S5).

[0040] Next, the display control unit 14 displays a list of motor and drive combinations on the display unit 15 along with the values ​​of the specified attributes as a search result in step S3 or step S5 (step S6). For example, when the attribute conditions shown in Figure 8 are specified and the installation area shown in Figure 9 is specified, the list displayed is illustrated in Figure 10. As can be seen from the comparison of Figures 8 to 10, all of the motor and drive combinations displayed in the list satisfy the specified conditions for size and specifications. That is, each combination satisfies the size conditions of "80 × 80 × 120 or less" specified for the motor and "50 × 200 × 150 or less" specified for the drive, and conforms to the "SA" standard corresponding to the United States, which is the specified installation area, and the standard area information 132 in Figure 4.

[0041] Furthermore, in the example in Figure 10, the ID, output, size, and compliant standards are shown in relation to each other for both the motor and the drive. Here, the specification values ​​for the motor and drive are shown for the size, which is an attribute for which conditions are entered, and for the standards that must be complied with, which are indirectly specified by the installation area specification. However, the specification values ​​for the other items are not displayed, except for the ID and output. Therefore, user U1 can easily check the specification values ​​related to the conditions they are interested in.

[0042] As described above, the support device 10 according to this embodiment displays a list of motor and drive combinations that meet the attribute conditions for procuring or installing the motor and drive, in addition to the mechanical conditions, as selection candidates. This makes it possible to assist in selecting a suitable motor and drive in accordance with various user requirements such as price, delivery time, size, and weight. In turn, it makes the selection of motors and drives easier and reduces the time required for the selection process.

[0043] The display control unit 14 corresponds to an example of a display control means that causes a display device to display a list of motors and drives from among a plurality of motors and drives indicated by output attribute information, which have output values ​​that conform to the mechanical conditions, attribute values ​​that fall within a specified range, and which comply with the standards that must be followed in the installation area.

[0044] Furthermore, user U1 can specify the size by inputting CAD data instead of specifying numerical values. This allows user U1 to easily specify the size that the motor and drive must meet using CAD data created during the on-site design phase, without having to prepare new dimensions for the installation space of the motor and drive.

[0045] Furthermore, if an installation area is specified, the support device 10 will display motors and drives that comply with the standards required for that installation area. Therefore, by specifying the installation area, user U1 can easily select motors and drives that comply with appropriate standards without having to investigate and confirm the standards that must be met.

[0046] Embodiment 2. Next, Embodiment 2 will be described, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1 described above. Note that the same or equivalent components as in Embodiment 1 will be referred to by the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that a priority is set for attributes whose conditions are specified by user U1, and the display order is determined by this priority.

[0047] Figure 11 shows the flow of the support process according to this embodiment. In this support process, the reception unit 11 accepts the specification of mechanism conditions, attribute conditions and attribute priorities, and accepts the specification of the installation area as necessary (step S1a). Specifically, after the attribute conditions are entered by the user U1, the support device 10 displays the input screen illustrated in Figure 12 and accepts the input of priorities for the attributes specified as conditions. In the example in Figure 12, a high priority is set for the total price and a low priority is set for the motor depth size.

[0048] Next, the support device 10 performs steps S2 to S5, similar to those in Embodiment 1. Then, the display control unit 14 displays a list of motor and drive combinations along with the values ​​of the specified attributes, sorted in ascending or descending order from the attribute with the highest priority (step S6a). Specifically, as shown in column 31 in Figure 13, the total price, which has the highest priority, is displayed in ascending order, and the fourth and fifth combinations, which have the same total price of 160,000 yen, are displayed in ascending order of depth size, as shown in column 32. In other words, attributes with the highest priority are displayed in ascending or descending order of their value, but combinations where the ascending or descending order cannot be determined, or combinations where rearranging them does not affect the ascending or descending order, are displayed in ascending or descending order of the next highest priority attribute. This type of display order can be obtained by sorting the list from the attribute with the lowest priority to the highest priority attribute, and finally sorting the list by the attribute with the highest priority.

[0049] Whether to use ascending or descending order may be predetermined. Generally, since smaller values ​​are preferred for price, delivery time, size, and weight, the results may be displayed in ascending order, as illustrated in Figure 13. Here, a smaller value for delivery time corresponds to an earlier delivery time, and a larger value corresponds to a later delivery time. Furthermore, the user U1 may be able to select between ascending and descending order on the results screen in Figure 13.

[0050] As explained above, the display control unit 14 determines the order of motors and drives in the list according to the priority settings assigned to the attributes. As a result, the list is displayed in an order preferred by user U1, so user U1 does not need to search for the optimal combination from the list and can easily find the optimal combination. The display control unit 14 is an example of a display control means that causes the motor and drive list to be displayed on the display device in ascending or descending order, prioritizing attributes with higher priority over attributes with lower priority.

[0051] Embodiment 3. Next, Embodiment 3 will be described, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1 described above. Note that the same or equivalent components as in Embodiment 1 will be referred to by the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that it adds and displays motor and drive combinations that do not meet the conditions in a list, and highlights values ​​that fall outside the specified range.

[0052] Figure 14 shows an example of attribute conditions entered in this embodiment. In the example in Figure 14, a range of 130,000 yen to 150,000 yen for the total price and a value of 60 mm for the motor depth size are specified. As with this depth size, by setting a range where the upper limit is equal to the lower limit, it is possible to specify essentially one value.

[0053] Figure 15 illustrates a screen showing a list of motor and drive combinations displayed by the display control unit 14. On this screen, pressing the toggle button 33 in the lower right corner allows switching between a mode that displays all motor and drive combinations and a mode that displays only combinations that meet the specified conditions. In the mode that displays all combinations, the list may include motor and drive combinations with attribute values ​​that fall outside the range specified by user U1. In the example shown in Figure 15, only the third combination of motor and drive meets all of the mechanism and attribute conditions; for the other combinations, at least one of the total price and motor depth size does not meet the conditions. Cells containing values ​​that do not meet the conditions are displayed with hatching, allowing user U1 to immediately see that the conditions are not met.

[0054] Furthermore, in Figure 15, a triangle mark indicates a slight mismatch with the condition, while an "X" mark indicates a complete mismatch. Cells marked with a triangle have a different hatching pattern than cells marked with an "X". This allows for immediate visual identification of the different degrees of deviation from the specified range. The degree of deviation may be defined by a predetermined threshold, determined by the user, or based on a ratio to a specified range. For example, a triangle mark may be applied if the value falls within the range of "0.75 times or more but less than the lower limit" and "exceeding the upper limit and not exceeding 1.25 times the upper limit," while an "X" mark may be applied if the value falls outside this range. The range defining the degree of deviation may also be associated with an attribute. For example, the depth size can be based on the range described above, and for the total price, a triangle mark may be added if the value falls within the range of "0.9 times the lower limit but less than the lower limit" and "exceeding the upper limit and not exceeding 1.1 times the upper limit."

[0055] Furthermore, if there are multiple conditions specified by user U1, the result of determining whether the combination meets or deviates from the conditions overall, based on whether each condition meets or deviates from the conditions, may be shown as an icon, as shown in Figure 15. The check mark in Figure 15 is an icon indicating that the condition is met. In addition, for combinations that include a value marked with an "X", an "X" icon is displayed, and for combinations that include a value marked with a triangle but do not include a value marked with an "X", a triangle icon is displayed. In this way, when displaying a list that includes motor and drive combinations that do not meet the mechanism conditions or attribute conditions, it is sufficient to display combinations that meet the conditions and combinations that do not meet the conditions in different forms so that user U1 can immediately determine whether each combination meets the conditions or not.

[0056] As explained above, the support device 10 adds combinations that do not meet the conditions to the list and displays them, and highlights the values ​​that do not meet the conditions in a manner corresponding to the degree of deviation. Therefore, the user U1 can immediately see from the list of motor and drive combinations whether or not they meet the conditions, and to what extent the values ​​deviate from the conditions. The display control unit 14 corresponds to an example of display control means that causes the display unit 15 to display the values ​​of the attributes that each combination has in the list, and highlights the values ​​of attributes that fall outside a specified range, and corresponds to an example of display control means that highlights the values ​​of two attributes with different degrees of deviation, which indicate the degree to which they deviate from a specified range, in different manners and displays them on the display device.

[0057] Embodiment 4. Next, Embodiment 4 will be described, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1 described above. Note that the same or equivalent components as in Embodiment 1 will be referred to by the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that, for one combination of motor and drive that does not meet the conditions, it suggests to user U1 to relax the conditions by displaying the result of adjusting the conditions so that this combination meets the conditions.

[0058] In the support process according to this embodiment, steps S1 to S6, the same as in Embodiment 1, are performed, as shown in Figure 16. Following step S6, the support device 10 performs adjustment processing (step S7).

[0059] In the adjustment process, as shown in Figure 17, the display control unit 14 adds and displays motor and drive combinations that do not meet the required performance and attribute conditions to a list (step S71). Specifically, the display mode of the list may be switched by the toggle button 33 shown in Figure 15, or motor and drive combinations that do not meet the conditions may be added to the list by other means. Here, a combination that does not meet the conditions means that it does not meet the required performance and attribute conditions, and not meeting the required performance means that it does not meet the mechanism conditions. As described above, combinations that do not meet the conditions are displayed in a different form than combinations that do meet the conditions. The display control unit 14 is an example of a display control means that adds motor and drive combinations that do not meet the selection condition, which is at least one of the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, to a list in a different display form than combinations that meet the selection condition, and displays the list on the display unit 15.

[0060] Next, the reception unit 11 accepts the designation of one combination from the combinations that do not meet the conditions (step S72). The designated combination corresponds to an example of a designated device that does not meet the selection criteria from the displayed list. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the first combination, namely a combination of a motor with the ID "MA" and a drive with the ID "DA", is designated. User U1 may wish to make this combination a candidate for selection because it has the lowest total price. However, the total price and size of this combination do not match the requested total price and size, and the motor output is also marked with an "X" and does not meet the conditions. At this point, it is not necessarily clear to user U1 how to change the various conditions in order to make this combination a candidate for selection.

[0061] Next, the display control unit 14 adjusts the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions (step S73) and determines whether the motor and drive combination specified in step S72 is suitable for the adjusted conditions (step S74). If it is determined that the specified combination is not suitable for the adjusted conditions (step S74; No), the display control unit 14 returns to step S73 and repeats the condition changes until the specified combination is suitable. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specified combination is suitable for the adjusted conditions (step S74; Yes), the display control unit 14 displays the adjusted conditions (step S75). After that, the processing by the support device 10 returns from the adjustment process in Figure 17 to the support process in Figure 16, and the support process ends.

[0062] For example, as shown in Figure 19, the system displays a message indicating that the acceleration / deceleration time in the driving pattern will be adjusted from 2 seconds to 4 seconds, the minimum depth of the motor will be adjusted to 50 mm, and the minimum total price will be adjusted to 120,000 yen. In Figure 19, the adjusted values ​​are hatched. If user U1 adopts these adjustments, the list of motor and drive combinations will be updated according to the adjusted conditions, as shown in Figure 20. As can be seen from Figure 20, all the values ​​for the first specified combination conform to the adjusted conditions. Note that in Figure 20, the parts that have changed from Figure 18 are underlined.

[0063] As explained above, for one combination of motors and drives specified by user U1 from among the combinations that do not meet the conditions, the result of adjusting the conditions to meet that combination is displayed. This allows user U1 to obtain new conditions that meet the combination they wish to include as a candidate, simply by specifying the combination, without changing any of the conditions. The display control unit 14 is an example of a display control means that creates new selection conditions that the specified device meets by adjusting the selection conditions and displays the created new selection conditions on the display device.

[0064] Embodiment 5. Next, Embodiment 5 will be described, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 4 described above. Note that the same or equivalent components as in Embodiment 1 will be referred to by the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 4 in that, when there is no combination of motor and drive that meets the conditions initially specified by user U1, adjustment priorities are set for each item of the conditions, and the conditions are adjusted according to these adjustment priorities.

[0065] In the adjustment process according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 21, the display control unit 14 determines whether or not a motor and drive combination that meets the conditions exists (step S81). If it is determined that a combination that meets the conditions exists (step S81; Yes), the processing by the support device 10 returns from the adjustment process in Figure 21 to the support process in Figure 16. On the other hand, if it is determined that no combination that meets the conditions exists (step S81; No), the reception unit 11 accepts the setting of the adjustment priority of the conditions to be adjusted (step S82).

[0066] For example, in the example in Figure 22, all combinations have values ​​marked with a triangle or an X, and no combinations meet the conditions. When user U1 presses the adjustment button 34, a sub-window for setting adjustment priorities for various conditions is displayed, as shown in Figure 23. User U1 uses this sub-window to assign a high adjustment priority to the conditions that are acceptable to be adjusted. In the example in Figure 23, a high adjustment priority is assigned to the motor size, a low adjustment priority to the operating pattern, and no adjustment priority is assigned to the other conditions. That is, user U1 is willing to accept changes to the initially specified conditions for the motor size, is prepared to consider changing the initially specified conditions for the operating pattern, and does not want the initially specified conditions for the other conditions to be changed. The reception unit 11 corresponds to an example of a reception means that accepts the setting of adjustment priorities to be assigned to the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, respectively, when the multiple motor and drive combinations indicated by the output attribute information do not include any combinations that meet the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions.

[0067] Returning to Figure 21, following step S82, the display control unit 14 adjusts the condition with the highest adjustment priority among the unadjusted conditions (step S83). In step S83, which is the first step executed when the adjustment priority is set as shown in Figure 23, the motor size is adjusted.

[0068] Next, the display control unit 14 determines whether or not there is a motor and drive combination that meets the adjusted conditions (step S84). In the example in Figure 23, even if the motor size is adjusted, as can be seen from Figure 22, all the motor outputs are marked with an "X", so there is no motor and drive combination that meets the adjusted conditions.

[0069] If it is determined that no combination exists that meets the adjusted conditions (Step 84; No), the display control unit 14 determines whether all conditions with set adjustment priorities have been adjusted (Step S85). If it is determined that all conditions with set adjustment priorities have been adjusted (Step S85; Yes), the display control unit 14 displays a message indicating that no combination exists that meets the adjusted conditions (Step S86). The adjustment process then ends.

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined that not all conditions with set adjustment priorities have been adjusted (step S85; No), the display control unit 14 repeats the process from step S83 onwards. This repeats the adjustments in order from the conditions with the highest adjustment priority until a combination that meets the conditions is found.

[0071] If, in step S84, it is determined that there is a combination that meets the adjusted conditions (step S84; Yes), the display control unit 14 displays the adjusted conditions and the newly met combination (step S87). For example, as shown in Figure 24, the display control unit 14 displays as the adjustment result that no matching conditions exist even when the motor size is adjusted, but when the acceleration / deceleration time length of the driving pattern is adjusted from 0.5 seconds to 4 seconds, one combination newly meets the conditions. Then, when user U1 presses the button to adopt this adjustment, the display control unit 14 updates the list of motor and drive combinations according to the adjusted conditions, as shown in Figure 25. In Figure 25, the combinations marked with dashed lines are those that newly meet the conditions through adjustment.

[0072] As explained above, if no motor and drive combination exists that meets the conditions initially specified by user U1, the conditions are adjusted in an order according to the adjustment priority. This allows user U1 to easily find conditions that meet the motor and drive combination by selecting conditions that are acceptable for adjustment without changing the value of the conditions. The display control unit 14 adjusts the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions in order from the conditions with the highest adjustment priority, and when the multiple motor and drive combinations indicated by the output attribute information include combinations that newly meet the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, the display control unit 14 displays information about the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions and the newly meeting combinations on the display device.

[0073] While the example described involves canceling the adjustment of the first condition (which has the highest adjustment priority) and then adjusting the second condition (which has the next highest adjustment priority) if no combinations that fit the adjusted first condition exist, this is not the only example. For instance, if no suitable combinations exist even after adjusting the first condition, the second condition may be adjusted while maintaining the first condition, which has been adjusted to increase the number of combinations with a small deviation. Furthermore, when transitioning from adjusting the first condition to adjusting the second condition, the adjustment results of the first condition may be displayed, and the user U1 may be asked whether the first condition has been adjusted, or to what extent, as a prerequisite for adjusting the second condition.

[0074] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0075] For example, while price, delivery time, size, and weight were used as examples of attributes, the attributes of the motor and drive can be any attributes different from their performance.

[0076] Furthermore, while the explanation primarily focused on assisting user U1 in selecting a motor and drive combination, assistance in selecting only the motor may also be provided. The motor and drive combination and the motor itself as the subject of selection represent an example of a power unit. The drive also represents an example of a drive unit that drives the motor.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26, the support device 10 may be configured without the display unit 15, and the display control unit 14 may display information on an external display device 15a. The display unit 15 and the display device 15a are each examples of display devices.

[0078] The functions of the support device 10 according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by dedicated hardware or by a normal computer system.

[0079] For example, a device that performs the above-mentioned processing can be configured by distributing program P1 on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or MO (Magneto-Optical disk), and then installing program P1 on a computer.

[0080] Alternatively, program P1 may be stored on a disk drive of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and then downloaded to a computer, for example, by superimposing it onto a carrier wave.

[0081] Furthermore, the above-mentioned process can also be achieved by launching and executing program P1 while transferring it over a network such as the Internet.

[0082] Furthermore, the above-described process can also be achieved by having all or part of program P1 run on a server device, and by having a computer send and receive information related to that process via a communication network while executing program P1.

[0083] Furthermore, if the above-mentioned functions are implemented by the OS (Operating System) or through collaboration between the OS and the application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored and distributed on a medium, or they may be downloaded to a computer.

[0084] Furthermore, the means for realizing the functions of the support device 10 are not limited to software; some or all of them may be realized by dedicated hardware or circuits.

[0085] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0086] This disclosure is suitable for selecting motors and drives that drive motors used in factories. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 10 Support device, 11 Reception unit, 12 Calculation unit, 13 Storage unit, 14 Display control unit, 15 Display unit, 15a Display device, 21 Drive, 22 Motor, 23 Gear unit, 24 Screw shaft, 25 Table, 26 Load, 27 Counterweight, 31, 32 Columns, 33 Switching button, 34 Adjustment button, 101 Processor, 102 Main memory unit, 103 Auxiliary memory unit, 104 Input unit, 105 Output unit, 106 Communication unit, 107 Internal bus, 131 Output attribute information, 132 Standard regional information, P1 Program, U1 User.

Claims

1. A computer that assists in the selection of a power device which is a motor or a combination of the motor and a drive device that drives the motor, A receiving means for receiving the specification of: mechanical conditions relating to the mechanism through which the power of the power device to be installed is transmitted; and the range of attribute values ​​different from the performance exhibited when the power device is operating, which the power device should have as a condition for procurement or installation of the power device. Storage means for storing output attribute information that associates a value indicating the output of each of the multiple power devices with the attribute value of the power device. Display control means for displaying on a display device a list of power devices among the plurality of power devices indicated by the output attribute information, which have an output value that conforms to the mechanism conditions and whose attribute values ​​fall within the range. To make it function as, The receiving means accepts the setting of adjustment priorities to be attached to the mechanism condition and the attribute condition, respectively, when none of the multiple power units indicated by the output attribute information meet the attribute condition that the mechanism condition and the attribute value within the range are met. The display control means adjusts the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions in order from the condition with the highest adjustment priority, so that when the plurality of power units indicated by the output attribute information include a power unit that newly conforms to the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, it displays information regarding the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions and the newly conforming power unit on the display device. Support program.

2. The aforementioned attributes are the price, delivery time, size, or weight of the power unit. The support program according to claim 1.

3. The attribute is the size of the power unit, The receiving means receives CAD data indicating the space in which the power unit should be installed as a specification of the range of the size of the power unit. The support program according to claim 1.

4. The output attribute information, for each of the multiple power units, shows a value indicating the output of the power unit, the value of the attribute of the power unit, and one of the multiple standards to which the power unit complies, in association with each of these standards. The storage means stores the output attribute information and also stores standard region information indicating the region that should comply with each of the multiple standards. The reception means receives the designation of the installation area where the power device will be installed. The display control means causes the display device to display the list of power devices that have output values ​​that conform to the mechanism conditions, attribute values ​​that fall within the range, and conform to the standards that must be followed in the installation area. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The output attribute information, for each of the multiple power units, shows a value indicating the output of the power unit and the values ​​of the multiple attributes that the power unit possesses, in association with each of the multiple power units. The receiving means receives the setting of priority assigned to each of the multiple attributes, The display control means causes the list of power devices to be displayed on the display device such that the attribute with the higher priority is given priority over the attribute with the lower priority, and the values ​​of each attribute assigned priority are in ascending or descending order. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The aforementioned list includes the power unit having attribute values ​​that fall outside the aforementioned range, The display control means causes the display device to display the attribute values ​​of each power unit in the list, and to highlight the attribute values ​​that fall outside the range. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The display control means causes the display device to display two attribute values ​​that have different degrees of deviation, indicating the degree to which they fall outside the range, by highlighting them in different ways. The support program according to claim 6.

8. The display control means adds power units that do not meet the selection criteria, which is at least one of the mechanism conditions and the condition that the attribute values ​​are within the range, to the list in a different display format than the power units that meet the selection criteria, and displays the list on the display device. The receiving means further accepts the designation of any of the power devices from the displayed list that do not meet the selection criteria, The display control means creates new selection conditions that the designated device conforms to by adjusting the selection conditions, and displays the created new selection conditions on the display device. The support program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. A support device for assisting in the selection of a power device which is a motor or a combination of the motor and a drive device that drives the motor, A receiving means for receiving specifications of: mechanical conditions relating to the mechanism through which power is transmitted to the power device to be installed; and a range of attribute values ​​different from the performance exhibited when the power device is operating, which the power device should have as a condition for procurement or installation of the power device; A storage means for storing output attribute information that associates a value indicating the output of the power unit with the attribute value of the power unit, for each of the multiple power units, A display control means that causes a display device to display a list of power devices among the plurality of power devices indicated by the output attribute information, which have an output value that conforms to the mechanism conditions and whose attribute values ​​fall within the range, Equipped with, The receiving means accepts the setting of adjustment priorities to be attached to the mechanism condition and the attribute condition, respectively, when none of the multiple power units indicated by the output attribute information meet the attribute condition that the mechanism condition and the attribute value within the range are met. The display control means adjusts the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions in order from the condition with the highest adjustment priority, so that when the plurality of power units indicated by the output attribute information include a power unit that newly conforms to the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, it displays information regarding the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions and the newly conforming power unit on the display device. Support equipment.

10. A support method performed by a support device that assists in the selection of a power device which is a motor or a combination of the motor and a drive device that drives the motor, The receiving means receives a specification of the following: the mechanical conditions relating to the mechanism through which the power of the power device to be installed is transmitted, and the value of an attribute different from the performance exhibited when the power device is operating, which is a range of the value of the attribute that the power device should have as a condition for procuring or installing the power device. The display control means, by referring to output attribute information that associates a value indicating the output of each of the plurality of power units with the attribute value of the power unit, causes the display device to display a list of the power units among the plurality of power units indicated by the output attribute information that have an output value that conforms to the mechanism conditions and attribute values ​​that fall within the range. If none of the power units indicated by the output attribute information meet the attribute condition that the mechanism condition and the attribute value within the range are met, the receiving means accepts the setting of adjustment priorities to be attached to the mechanism condition and the attribute condition, respectively. The display control means adjusts the mechanism conditions and attribute conditions in order from the condition with the highest adjustment priority, and when the plurality of power units indicated by the output attribute information include a power unit that newly conforms to the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions, it causes the display device to display information regarding the adjusted mechanism conditions and attribute conditions and the newly conforming power unit. Support methods that include this.

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