Work support system

Abstract

This work support system gives an instruction to a worker to assist the worker in stacking work for stacking a plurality of articles on a support body capable of supporting the articles. The work support system comprises a projection device and a control device that controls the projection device. The control device controls the projection device such that a position indication image (A) indicating the stacking position of a target article is projected onto a projection object which is a support body (2) and / or an article (W) already stacked on the support body (2).

Description

Work Support System

[0001] The present invention relates to a work support system that provides instructions to a worker to support the worker in a stowage operation in which the worker stows a plurality of items on a support body capable of supporting the items.

[0002] An example of such a work support system is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6074769 (Patent Document 1). In the following description of this background art, the reference numerals and names in Patent Document 1 will be cited in parentheses.

[0003] The loading equipment of Patent Document 1 includes a transfer device (transfer robot 4) that loads items onto a loading section (loading platform 8) and a control device (H) that controls the operation of the transfer device (4), and is configured so that the transfer device (4) loads items onto the loading section (3) in an arrangement determined by an arrangement determination method that determines an arrangement for loading items in multiple tiers, relative to a loading section (cart 3) that has a loading section (8) that is rectangular in plan view and that loads and supports items, and a back section and a pair of side sections that rise from three of the four sides that form the outer edge of the loading section (8).On the other hand, if the transfer device (4) cannot be used due to, for example, limited installation space or a malfunction, an image showing the determined stowage pattern may be displayed on a monitor, and an operator may manually load items (W) onto the loading section (3) based on the image displayed on the monitor.

[0004] Patent No. 6074769

[0005] However, when stowage of multiple items is required, it can be difficult to intuitively grasp the detailed stowage position of each item using only the image displayed on the monitor, which can lead to operational errors. If such operational errors occur, the items cannot be stowed according to the determined stowage pattern, which can lead to problems such as not being able to stow all the items in the stowage area.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a work support system that enables workers to easily recognize where the target items should be stacked.

[0007] In view of the above, a characteristic configuration of the work support system is a work support system that provides instructions to a worker to support a loading operation in which the worker loads a plurality of items onto a support body that can support the items, and includes: a projection device; and a control device that controls the projection device, wherein the item to be loaded onto the support body or the items already loaded onto the support body is defined as a target item, and the control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image that indicates the loading position of the target item onto a projection target that is at least one of the support body and the items already loaded onto the support body.

[0008] According to this characteristic configuration, when a worker stacks multiple items on the support, the worker can easily recognize where the target items should be stacked by looking at the position indication image projected onto the projection target, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0009] Overview of the article transport facility Perspective view of a basket car Perspective view of a basket car during loading work Control block diagram Explanatory diagram of the work support system of the first embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system of the second embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system of the third embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system of the fourth embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system of the fifth embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system of the sixth embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system according to a modified example of the sixth embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system according to a modified example of the sixth embodiment Explanatory diagram of the work support system according to a modified example of the second embodiment

[0010] 1. First Embodiment A first embodiment of a work support system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. An example in which the work support system 1 is applied to an item transport facility 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the item transport facility 100 includes a work support system 1, an inlet section 3 into which items W are brought in, a transport conveyor 5, a work area 4, a storage section 9 for storing the items W, a shipping conveyor 8, a pasting device 7 provided adjacent to the shipping conveyor 8, and a shipping work area 6.

[0011] An item W arriving inside the item transport equipment 100 is loaded onto a support (here, a cart 2) via the work support system 1. The item W loaded onto the support (cart 2) is then stored in a storage section 9. An item W to be shipped from inside the item transport equipment 100 is placed from the storage section 9 onto a shipping conveyor 8. The item W is then transported by the shipping conveyor 8 to the shipping work area 6, and shipped from the shipping work area 6 to the outside of the item transport equipment 100. A label is affixed to the item W to be shipped by an attachment device 7 while being transported by the shipping conveyor 8. The item W that has arrived at the shipping work area 6 is loaded onto, for example, a truck or the like and transported to its destination.

[0012] Furthermore, the item W loaded onto the support (cart 2) via the work support system 1 may not be stored in the storage section 9 but may be transported directly to the shipping work area 6 by the shipping conveyor 8. Furthermore, when shipping the item W, the item W may be transported directly to the shipping work area 6 without being placed on the shipping conveyor 8. In this case, a label is not affixed to the item W by the affixing device 7.

[0013] In the example of FIG. 1 , the shipping conveyor 8 includes a first output conveyor 10, a second output conveyor 11, and a third output conveyor 12. A plurality of first output conveyors 10 are arranged adjacent to each other in the storage section 9. Each of the plurality of first output conveyors 10 is connected to the second output conveyor 11 on the downstream side. A bonding device 7 is arranged adjacent to the second output conveyor 11. The second output conveyor 11 is connected to a plurality of third output conveyors 12 on the downstream side of the bonding device 7. Each of the plurality of third output conveyors 12 is arranged so as to overlap with the shipping work area 6 when viewed in the vertical direction. In other words, an item W placed on the first output conveyor 10 passes through the second output conveyor 11 and is transported to one of the plurality of third output conveyors 12. In the shipping work area 6, workers remove the items W from the third discharge conveyor 12 and load them onto carts 2 or the like.

[0014] In addition to the cart 2, examples of the support include various containers such as pallets, cartons, and foldable containers (oricon), and trolleys. The shipping work area 6 is designed to accommodate vehicles such as trucks, and multiple items W are loaded onto the vehicles and shipped. In the example of FIG. 1, the labeling device 7 is a labeler that automatically affixes a label indicating the shipping destination. The configuration of the shipping conveyor 8 can be modified as appropriate.

[0015] The storage unit 9 stores a plurality of items W that have been loaded onto supports (cage carts 2) by the work support system 1. In the example of FIG. 1 , a plurality of supports (cage carts 2) are arranged side by side in the storage unit 9, and a plurality of items W are loaded onto each support (cage cart 2). The storage unit 9 is disposed between the work support system 1 and the shipping conveyor 8 (here, the first carry-out conveyor 10). That is, the storage unit 9 is adjacent to both the work support system 1 and the shipping conveyor 8. Note that, within the item transport equipment 100, when transporting a plurality of items W loaded onto supports (cage carts 2) or items W that are not loaded onto supports (cage carts 2) without using a conveyor, it is preferable to use not only manual transport but also a forklift, an automated guided vehicle (AGV), or the like.

[0016] In this embodiment, the article W is a container that can be stacked on the support (cart 2). For example, the article W is a cardboard box serving as a carton container that contains items. Examples of items that can be contained in a carton container include clothes, books, drinking water, food, and machine parts.

[0017] Furthermore, the goods W are not limited to a single type, but may be multiple types of goods W. The same type of goods W means goods that are all the same in size (length, width, height), shape, and weight, while different types of goods W are defined as goods that are different in some or all of the size, shape, and weight.

[0018] The work support system 1 is a device that provides instructions to a worker to assist the worker in loading work in which the worker loads multiple items W onto a support (cart 2) that can support the items W.

[0019] 2, the cart 2 in this embodiment is provided with a platform 20 that is rectangular in plan view and supports an article W, three peripheral walls 21 that extend from three of the four sides that form the outer edge of the platform 20, and a plurality of transport wheels 22 that are provided on the underside of the platform 20. Two of the three opposing peripheral walls 21 are referred to as side walls 21a, and the remaining peripheral wall 21 is referred to as the back wall 21b. The direction in which the pair of side walls 21a are aligned is referred to as the left-right direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the left-right direction is referred to as the front-rear direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the goods W are first loaded onto the loading platform 20 of the cart 2, and then further goods W are successively loaded on top of the loaded goods W.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the task support system 1 includes a projection device 14 and a control device 13 that controls the projection device 14 .

[0022] The control device 13 receives input of item information regarding the size (length, width, height), shape, weight, number, etc. of the items W. The control device 13 then determines and stores a stacking arrangement pattern for stacking these multiple items W onto the cart 2 based on predetermined criteria.

[0023] In the work area 4, when a worker removes an item W from the transport conveyor 5 and stacks it on a cart 2, the work support system 1 is activated. Then, the control device 13 controls the projection device 14 to project a position indication image A indicating the stacking position of the target item onto the projection target based on the stacking arrangement pattern. Here, the projection target is at least one of the support (cart 2) and the item W already stacked on the support (cart 2). The target item is the support (cart 2) or an item W to be stacked on top of the item W already stacked on the support (cart 2). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the position indication image A indicating the stacking position of the target item is projected onto the item W already stacked on the cart 2 as the projection target using MR (Mixed Reality) via goggles worn by the worker.

[0024] As a result, when a worker is loading a plurality of items W onto the support body (cart 2), the worker can easily recognize where the target items should be loaded by looking at the position indication image A projected onto the projection target. This makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's loading work of the items W.

[0025] The projection device 14 applicable to the present invention is not limited to MR, but also includes, for example, a laser pointer, projection mapping, etc. In other words, the concept of "projection" is not limited to projecting an image onto a support (carriage car 2) or an article W so as to be superimposed thereon using MR goggles or the like as in this embodiment, but also includes projecting an image directly onto the support (carriage car 2) or the article W.

[0026] In this embodiment, the projection target is the lower-level item W, which serves as the support surface for the location where the target item is placed, but this is not limited thereto and may also be a support body (e.g., the platform 20 of the cart 2) that serves as the support surface for the location where the target item is placed. Furthermore, the projection target may be, in addition to the support body that serves as the support surface or the lower-level item W, a support body that serves as a side wall surface for the location where the target item is placed (e.g., the peripheral wall 21 of the cart 2) or the side surface of the item W on the same level. Furthermore, the projection target may not be projected onto the support surface, but only onto the side wall surface (e.g., the peripheral wall 21 of the cart 2). In other words, the "position indicating image" is not limited to an image projected onto the loading position of the target item as in this embodiment, but also includes an image projected near the loading position of the target item so as to indicate the loading position.

[0027] The "position indication image" may be, for example, a dot or arrow (such as an arrow projected onto a support that forms the wall on the side of the location where the target item is to be placed), which only displays the loading position of the target item.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is shown in which the items W are stacked only by a worker, without using a transfer robot. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the embodiment may be such that a worker performs the stacking work instead of the transfer robot during recovery work when a transfer robot breaks down and an error occurs in the stacking work, or during maintenance work on the transfer robot.

[0029] 2. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the object W has a rectangular shape in a plan view. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 13 projects, onto the projection target, a direction indicating image B that indicates the direction along which the long side of the target object in a plan view should be aligned, in addition to or together with the position indicating image A. The following description of the work support system 1 according to this embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0030] The rectangular shape in this embodiment does not necessarily have to be rectangular in the strict sense, but may be roughly rectangular in shape.

[0031] In this embodiment, the position indicating image A and the direction indicating image B are integrated and displayed as a single image. The position indicating image A is a rectangular image, and the direction indicating image B is a linear image. It is desirable that the direction indicating image B be displayed in a color (e.g., red) that is easily visible to the worker. The position and direction of the position indicating image A and the direction indicating image B simultaneously indicate the position and direction in which the rectangular item W should be stacked.

[0032] According to this configuration, when stowage of items W that are rectangular in plan view is performed, the worker can easily recognize the direction in which to align the long side in plan view of the items W by looking at the direction indicating image B projected onto the projection target. This reduces the possibility that the worker will stow the items W in the wrong orientation, making it easier to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage of the items W.

[0033] 13, a linear image indicating the position and direction of the target item may be projected onto the upper surface of the item W, which serves as a support surface for the location where the target item is to be placed, or onto the loading platform 20 of the cart 2. Such a linear image may be considered to be a position indicating image A indicating the loading position of the target item, a direction indicating image B indicating the direction of the target item, or a linear image that combines the position indicating image A and the direction indicating image B. Such a linear image has a simple shape and is therefore suitable for use, for example, when a laser pointer or projection mapping is used as the projection device 14.

[0034] In this embodiment, the direction indication image B and the position indication image A are not limited to being displayed as a single image, but may also be configured so that the direction indication image B and the position indication image A are separated and displayed separately.

[0035] 3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the item W to be loaded after the target item is set as the next target item, and the control device 13 projects, in addition to the position indicating image A, a next position indicating image N that indicates the loading position of the next target item in a manner different from the position indicating image A onto the projection target. The following description of the work support system 1 according to this embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0036] In this embodiment, the next position indication image N is represented by a shape, color, brightness, or the like that is different from that of the position indication image A, or by a combination of these. Note that the number of next position indication images N is not necessarily limited to one, and it is also possible to project a plurality of next position indication images N, each numbered according to the stacking order, such as #1, #2, #3, and so on.

[0037] According to this configuration, when a worker stacks a plurality of items W on the support body, the worker can know in advance the stacking position of the next item W to be stacked. Therefore, it is easy to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work of the items W.

[0038] Furthermore, this configuration allows the worker to change the stacking order of the current target item and the next target item, which makes it easier to increase the worker's freedom of work.

[0039] 4. Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 13 projects onto the projection target at least one of an order display image H indicating the stacking order of target items among all items W to be stacked onto the support (cart 2) and an order display image h of items W that have already been stacked. The following description of the work support system 1 according to this embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0040] The order display image H indicating the stowing order of the target items and the order display image h of the already stowed items W may be, for example, numbers indicating the stowing order, as shown in Fig. 8. Other examples of the order display image include graphics such as a bar graph indicating the position of the target item in the overall items W to be stowed, corresponding to its order.

[0041] 8, the order display image H indicating the stacking order of the target items and the position indication image A may be displayed as a single integrated image (for example, using numbers instead of colored lines), or the order display image H and the position indication image A may be displayed as separate images.

[0042] 5. Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 13 sets a reference point E on a support surface, which is a surface of the support (cage cart 2) that supports multiple articles W, and sets an X-axis and a Y-axis that are aligned with a horizontal plane and intersect at the reference point E. In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 13 projects a first reference line image C, which is positioned so as to overlap with the X-axis in a vertical view, and a second reference line image D, which is positioned so as to overlap with the Y-axis in a vertical view, onto the support (cage cart 2) and the entirety of the articles W already loaded on the support (cage cart 2). Below, the work support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that aspects not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the support (cage car 2) is rectangular (square or oblong) in plan view, the X and Y axes are set parallel to the sides of the support (cage car 2), and the intersection of the X and Y axes (reference point E) is set at the center of the support surface (center of gravity of the figure). Of course, when an article W is loaded on the support (cage car 2), the X and Y axes and their intersection are projected onto the top surface of the loaded article W.

[0044] In this embodiment, the reference point E is not limited to being set at the center of the support surface, but may be set at a position offset from the center of the support surface. Also, the X-axis and Y-axis may be set in directions that intersect with each side of the support (cart 2).

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, two reference line images, a first reference line image C and a second reference line image D, are provided. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the embodiment, a grid-like reference line image or a radial reference line image may be set, and further reference line images such as a third reference line image, a fourth reference line image, and so on may be projected.

[0046] According to this configuration, the first reference line image C and the second reference line image D are projected onto the support surface of the support body (cart 2) or onto the upper surface of the article W already stacked on the support surface, so that the worker can stack the article W using these reference line images as a reference. Therefore, the worker can easily optimize the position at which the article W is stacked.

[0047] 6. Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the work support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following two respects. First, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the work support system 1 further includes an image display device 15 that displays an image on a display screen. In addition, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control device 13 displays, on the display screen, a status display image F corresponding to an item W already loaded on the support (cart 2) and a position indication image G indicating the loading position of the target item. Second, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the work support system 1 displays, on the display screen, a projection image K corresponding to an image projected onto the projection target by the projection device 14, superimposed on the status display image F. The following description of the work support system 1 according to this embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that aspects not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment and other embodiments.

[0048] 10, projection images A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1 are displayed on the display screen as projection images K corresponding to a position indication image A, a direction indication image B, a first reference line image C (X-axis), a second reference line image D (Y-axis), and an intersection (reference point E) between the first reference line image C and the second reference line image D, which are images projected onto the projection target by the projection device 14. The image labeled W1 is an image corresponding to an item W.

[0049] In this embodiment, the image display device 15 is, for example, a monitor or a projector. A three-dimensional image, for example, showing the actual stacking state, is displayed on the display screen as a status display image F, together with a position indication image G indicating the stacking position of the target item. Furthermore, a projection image K corresponding to the image projected onto the projection target by the projection device 14 is displayed on the display screen, superimposed on the status display image F. The displayed projection image K does not necessarily have to be the entire projected image; only a portion of it may be displayed. Furthermore, an image with the same purpose may be displayed in a form different from the projected image. For example, the position indication image A may be a red line in the projected image, and the color of the item W itself may be a color (e.g., red) different from the color of the other items W (e.g., blue) in the projection image A1. Furthermore, the status display image F may further display not only the stacked items W but also at least a portion of the support (cart 2).

[0050] Note that the projection image K may or may not include a position indication image G. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , if a position indication image A and a direction indication image B are projected onto the projection target, and as shown in FIG. 10 , a projection image A1 corresponding to the position indication image A and a projection image B1 corresponding to the direction indication image B are displayed on the display screen as the projection image K, the projection image K will include the position indication image G. Furthermore, for example, if a linear image as shown in FIG. 13 is projected onto the projection target, and an image corresponding to the linear image is displayed on the display screen as the projection image K, the projection image K will include the position indication image G. On the other hand, for example, even if a position indication image A and a direction indication image B are projected onto the projection target, if a projection image A1 corresponding to the position indication image A is not displayed as the projection image K, and a projection image B1 corresponding to the direction indication image B is displayed on the display screen, the projection image K will not include the position indication image G. Naturally, for example, when a position indicating image A and a direction indicating image B are projected onto a projection target, the projected image B1 corresponding to the direction indicating image B may not be displayed, and the projected image A1 corresponding to the position indicating image A may be displayed on the display screen as the projected image K. In this case, the projected image K includes the position indicating image G.

[0051] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can easily recognize the position where the target item should be loaded, and can also easily recognize the current status of the items W already loaded on the support body (cart 2). Therefore, it is easy to further improve the efficiency of the worker's work of loading the items W.

[0052] 10, in this embodiment, the control device 13 may be configured to control the image display device 15 so as to display on the display screen both three-dimensional images (left side of the page in FIG. 10) that represent the situation display image F, the position indication image G, and the projection images A1 and B1, and planar images (right side of the page in FIG. 10) that represent them in a planar view. Note that the three-dimensional images are preferably images that represent perspective views, and in this case, it is further preferable that the display angle can be appropriately changed by the operator to an angle that is easy to view.

[0053] With this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be loaded, as well as the current status of the item W already loaded on the support (cart 2).

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 13 may be configured to control the image display device 15 so that the position indication image G is an image of a shape corresponding to the actual target item, and so that the image showing the item W already loaded on the support (cart 2) included in the status display image F and the position indication image G are displayed on the display screen in different forms (e.g., shape, color, brightness, etc.).

[0055] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stowed, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage work of the items W.

[0056] Also, as shown in FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the control device 13 is configured to be able to change the orientation in which the status display image F, position indication image G, and projection image K are displayed on the display screen in accordance with instructions from the worker, and may also be configured to control the image display device 15 to display on the display screen a worker position image P indicating the standing position of the worker performing the stowage work.

[0057] According to this configuration, the orientation of each image on the display screen can be freely changed, so that each image can be displayed at an angle that is easy for the worker to view. Furthermore, even when the orientation of each image displayed on the display screen is changed in this way, the worker's position in the image displayed on the display screen can be easily seen.

[0058] 12, in this embodiment, when articles W are stacked in multiple layers on the support (cart 2), the control device 13 may be configured to control the image display device 15 so that an image of the article W included in the status display image F is displayed on the display screen in a different manner depending on which layer of the multiple layers the article W belongs to. In the example shown in Fig. 12, both a side image (lower side of the page in Fig. 12) represented in a side view and a planar image (upper side of the page in Fig. 12) represented in a planar view corresponding to each layer formed by stacking the articles W are displayed on the display screen sequentially for each layer according to the progress of stacking, and a gradation is shown in which the lower layers of the stacked articles W are darker in color.

[0059] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can easily intuitively recognize the vertical position at which the target item should be stacked, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's work of stacking the items W.

[0060] The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] 7. Summary of the Present Embodiment The following provides a summary of the embodiment of the work assistance system described above.

[0062] The work support system is a work support system that provides instructions to a worker to support loading work in which the worker loads a plurality of items onto a support body that can support the items, and includes: a projection device; and a control device that controls the projection device, wherein the item to be loaded onto the support body or the items already loaded onto the support body is taken as a target item, and the control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image that indicates the loading position of the target item onto a projection target that is at least one of the support body and the items already loaded onto the support body.

[0063] According to this configuration, when a worker stacks multiple items on the support, the worker can easily recognize where the target items should be stacked by looking at the position indication image projected onto the projection target, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0064] Here, it is preferable that the object has a rectangular shape in a planar view, and the control device controls the projection device to project onto the projection target, in addition to or together with the position indication image, a direction indication image indicating the direction in which the long side of the target object in a planar view should be aligned.

[0065] According to this configuration, when stacking items that are rectangular in plan view, the worker can easily recognize the direction in which to align the long side of the item in plan view by looking at the direction indicating image projected onto the projection target. This reduces the possibility that the worker will stack the items in the wrong orientation, making it easier to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0066] Furthermore, it is preferable that the item to be loaded next after the target item is defined as the next target item, and the control device controls the projection device to project, in addition to the position indication image, a next position indication image that indicates the loading position of the next target item in a manner different from the position indication image onto the projection target.

[0067] According to this configuration, when a worker stacks multiple items on a support, the worker can know in advance the stacking position of the next item to be stacked. Therefore, the worker can easily improve the efficiency of the stacking work. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the worker can change the stacking order of the current target item and the next target item, which makes it easier to increase the worker's freedom of work.

[0068] It is also preferable that the control device controls the projection device to project onto the projection target at least one of a sequence display image indicating the stacking order of the target items among all the items to be stacked on the support, and a sequence display image of the items that have already been stacked.

[0069] According to this configuration, when a worker is stacking multiple items on a support, the worker can easily grasp at least one of the following: the number of the current target item among all the items being stacked on the support, and the stacking order of each of the items that have already been stacked.

[0070] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device sets a reference point on a support surface that is a surface of the support that supports the multiple items, sets an X-axis and a Y-axis that are along a horizontal plane and intersect at the reference point, and controls the projection device to project a first reference line image that is positioned at a position that overlaps with the X-axis when viewed in a vertical direction and a second reference line image that is positioned at a position that overlaps with the Y-axis when viewed in a vertical direction onto the entire support and the items already stacked on the support.

[0071] According to this configuration, the first and second reference line images are projected onto the support surface of the support body or onto the top surfaces of items already stacked on the support surface, allowing the worker to stack the items using these reference line images as a reference, making it easier for the worker to optimize the positions at which the items are stacked.

[0072] It is also preferable that the system further includes an image display device that displays images on a display screen, and that the control device displays on the display screen a status display image that corresponds to the items already loaded on the support body, and a position indication image that indicates the loading position of the target items.

[0073] With this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can easily recognize where the target item should be stacked, and can also easily recognize the current status of the items already stacked on the support body, which makes it easier to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0074] It is also preferable that the image display device is controlled so as to display, on the display screen, a projected image corresponding to the image projected onto the projection target by the projection device, superimposed on the situation display image.

[0075] According to this configuration, a projection image corresponding to the image projected by the projection device onto the projection target is also displayed on the display screen, so that the worker can recognize the correspondence between the image projected onto the real projection target by the projection device and the projection image displayed on the display screen. Therefore, it is easy to further improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage work.

[0076] It is also preferable that the control device controls the image display device so that the situation display image, the position indication image, and the projection image are displayed on the display screen as both three-dimensional images expressed in three dimensions and planar images expressed in a two-dimensional view.

[0077] With this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stacked, as well as the current status of the items already stacked on the support body.

[0078] It is also preferable that the control device controls the image display device to make the position indication image an image of a shape corresponding to the actual target item, and to display the image showing the items already loaded on the support, which is included in the status display image, and the position indication image in different forms on the display screen.

[0079] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can more easily recognize where the target item should be stowed, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stowage work.

[0080] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device is configured to be able to change the orientation in which the status display image, the position indication image, and the projection image are displayed on the display screen in accordance with instructions from a worker, and that the control device controls the image display device to display on the display screen a worker position image indicating the standing position of the worker performing the stowage work.

[0081] According to this configuration, the orientation of each image on the display screen can be freely changed, so that each image can be displayed at an angle that is easy for the worker to view. Furthermore, even when the orientation of each image displayed on the display screen is changed in this way, the worker's position in the image displayed on the display screen can be easily seen.

[0082] Furthermore, when the items are stacked in multiple tiers on the support, it is preferable that the control device controls the image display device so that the image showing the item included in the status display image is displayed on the display screen in a different manner depending on which tier of the multiple tiers the item belongs to.

[0083] According to this configuration, by looking at the image displayed on the display screen, the worker can easily intuitively recognize the vertical position at which the target item should be stacked, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of the worker's stacking work.

[0084] The technology according to the present disclosure can be used in stacking work in which multiple items are stacked on a support body.

[0085] 100: Item transport equipment 1: Work support system 2: Cage cart (support) 20: Placement platform (support surface) 21: Peripheral wall 21a: Side portion 21b: Back portion 22: Travel wheels 3: Loading section 4: Work area 5: Transport conveyor 6: Shipping work area 7: Adhesive device 8: Shipping conveyor 9: Storage section 10: First carry-out conveyor 11: Second carry-out conveyor 12: Third carry-out conveyor 13: Control device 14: Projection device 15: Image display device A: Position indication image B: Direction indication image C: First reference line image (X axis) D: Second reference line image (Y axis) E: Intersection (reference point) F: Status display image G: Position indication image H: Order display image showing the order in which the target item is to be stacked h: Order display image for items already stacked N: Next position indication image P: Worker position image W: Item K: Projected image

Claims

1. A work support system that provides instructions to a worker to support a loading operation in which the worker loads a plurality of items onto a support body capable of supporting the items, the work support system comprising: a projection device; and a control device that controls the projection device, wherein the object to be loaded onto the support body or the object already loaded onto the support body is taken as a target object, and the control device controls the projection device to project a position indication image indicating the loading position of the target object onto a projection target, which is at least one of the support body and the object already loaded onto the support body.

2. The work support system of claim 1, wherein the object is rectangular in a planar view, and the control device controls the projection device to project onto the projection target, in addition to or together with the position indication image, a direction indicating image indicating the direction in which the long side of the target object in a planar view should be aligned.

3. The work support system of claim 1, wherein the control device controls the projection device to project, in addition to the position indication image, a next position indication image indicating the loading position of the next target item in a manner different from the position indication image, onto the projection target, with the item to be loaded next after the target item being the next target item.

4. The work support system of claim 1, wherein the control device controls the projection device to project onto the projection target at least one of an order display image indicating the loading order of the target items among all the items to be loaded onto the support, and an order display image of the items that have already been loaded.

5. The work support system described in claim 1, wherein the control device sets a reference point on a support surface that is a surface of the support that supports the multiple items, sets an X-axis and a Y-axis that are along a horizontal plane and intersect at the reference point, and controls the projection device to project a first reference line image positioned at a position overlapping with the X-axis when viewed in a vertical direction and a second reference line image positioned at a position overlapping with the Y-axis when viewed in a vertical direction onto the entire support and the items already loaded on the support.

6. A work support system as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an image display device that displays an image on a display screen, wherein the control device causes the display screen to display a status display image, which is an image corresponding to the items already loaded on the support body, and a position indication image that indicates the loading position of the target item.

7. A work support system as described in claim 6, which controls the image display device so as to display on the display screen a projected image corresponding to an image projected by the projection device onto the projection target, superimposed on the situation display image.

8. The work support system according to claim 7, wherein the control device controls the image display device so as to display on the display screen both three-dimensional images representing the situation display image, the position indication image, and the projection image in three dimensions, and planar images representing them in a two-dimensional view.

9. The work support system of claim 6, wherein the control device controls the image display device so as to make the position indication image an image having a shape corresponding to the actual target item, and to display on the display screen an image showing the items already loaded on the support, which is included in the status display image, and the position indication image in different forms.

10. The work support system described in claim 7, wherein the control device is configured to be able to change the orientation in which the status display image, the position indication image, and the projected image are displayed on the display screen in accordance with instructions from a worker, and controls the image display device to display on the display screen a worker position image indicating the standing position of the worker performing the loading work.

11. A work support system as described in claim 6, wherein, when the items are stacked in multiple tiers on the support, the control device controls the image display device so that an image showing the item included in the status display image is displayed on the display screen in a different manner depending on which tier of the multiple tiers the item belongs to.

Images