Mounting device, mounting system, and method for determining service life of connector

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mounting device capable of determining service life based on a state of deterioration of a connector, a mounting device system, and a method for determining the service life of the connector.　A mounting device according to the present disclosure comprises: a connection unit that can connect a device to be connected via a connector; and a control device that executes data transmission processing for transmitting data via the connection unit with the device to be connected that is connected to the connector, data retransmission processing for executing transmission of data again via the connector when data transmission fails in the data transmission processing, and service life determination processing for determining the service life of the connector on the basis of the history information of the data retransmission processing.

Description

Methods for determining the lifespan of attachment devices, attachment systems, and connectors

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for determining the lifespan of a connector.

[0002] Various techniques for determining the lifespan of connectors have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a technique for determining the lifespan of a computer cable connector. The lifespan warning display system in Patent Document 1 increments a counter value each time it detects insertion or removal of a connector. When the counter value reaches an upper limit for use, the lifespan warning display system flashes a warning light.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-162570

[0004] In the lifespan warning display system of Patent Document 1, a warning light is emitted for all connectors when the number of insertions and removals reaches the upper limit for use. However, depending on the precision of the connector manufacturing process, even connectors of the same type may not reach the end of their lifespan when the number of insertions and removals reaches the same upper limit for use. For this reason, there is room for improvement in the conventional technology for determining the lifespan of connectors.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an installation device, an installation system, and a method for determining the lifespan of a connector that can determine the lifespan based on the deterioration state of the connector.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses an attachment device including a connection unit that can connect a target device via a connector, a data transmission process that transmits data via the connection unit between the target device connected to the connector and the connection unit, a re-data transmission process that retransmits the data via the connector if the data transmission process fails, and a lifespan determination process that determines the lifespan of the connector based on history information of the re-data transmission process. Note that the content of this disclosure is not limited to being implemented as an attachment device, but is also extremely useful when implemented as an attachment system or a method for determining the lifespan of a connector.

[0007] According to the mounting device, mounting system, and method for determining the lifespan of a connector disclosed herein, if data transmission via a data transmission process fails, a re-data transmission process is executed to reattempt data transmission via the connector. The mounting device, etc., determines the lifespan of the connector based on historical information on the execution of this re-data transmission process. If the degree of deterioration differs for each connector, the frequency and number of times the re-data transmission process is executed, i.e., the number of times data transmission fails, will differ. Therefore, by determining the lifespan of the connector based on the historical information of the re-data transmission process, it is possible to determine the lifespan of each connector based on the deterioration state of the connector.

[0008] 1 is a schematic diagram of a production system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automated guided vehicle 5 moved to a position where the feeder magazine 21 can be handed over between the feeder storage unit 12 and the placement unit 36, viewed from the X-axis direction; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an automated guided vehicle 5 moved to a position where the feeder magazine 21 can be handed over between the feeder storage unit 12 and the placement unit 36, viewed from above; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting device 13; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a first lifespan determination process; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing history information DT1; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a second lifespan determination process;

[0009] (Regarding Production System 10) An embodiment of a mounting system according to the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a production system 10 according to this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the production system 10 includes, for example, multiple production lines 2, a supervisory device 4, an automated guided vehicle 5, a display terminal 6, and a storage device 7. The production line 2 includes, for example, from upstream to downstream of the production line 2, a printer 11, a feeder storage unit 12, multiple mounting devices 13, a reflow oven 14, and a board visual inspection machine 15. The production system 10 transports boards 19 from upstream to downstream of the production line 2 and mounts components (such as electronic components) on the boards 19. The feeder storage unit 12 is provided with a line management device 18.

[0010] The following explanation will be given from the viewpoint of a user facing each device on the production line 2, as shown in Figure 1. The direction from the upstream side to the downstream side of the production line 2 will be referred to as the left-right direction (X-axis direction). The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and parallel to the plane of the substrate 19 being transported will be referred to as the front-back direction (Y-axis direction). The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the front-back direction will be referred to as the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0011] The printer 11 is a screen printer that prints a viscous fluid (e.g., cream solder) on the board 19. The placement device 13 places components on the board 19 on which the cream solder has been printed. The feeder storage unit 12 can accommodate multiple (two in this embodiment) feeder magazines 21. The feeder magazines 21 can house feeders 22 that supply supply members. The supply members are, for example, electronic components to be mounted on the board 19. Note that the supply members are not limited to electronic components and may be, for example, other members used in the placement device 13. Specifically, the supply members of the present disclosure may be replaceable suction nozzles that are attached to the placement head 47 (see FIG. 4 ) of the placement device 13. Therefore, the feeders of the present disclosure are not limited to component feeders but may also be nozzle feeders.

[0012] The production line 2 is equipped with a line exchange device 23. The line exchange device 23 exchanges feeders 22 stored in a feeder magazine 21 in the feeder storage unit 12 with feeders 22 mounted on the mounting device 13. The reflow furnace 14 is a device that heats the board 19 on which components are mounted, melts the cream solder, and then solidifies it. In this way, the components are mounted on the board 19. The board appearance inspection machine 15 is a device that inspects the mounting state of the board 19 on which components are mounted.

[0013] The line management device 18 and the coordinating device 4 are communicatively connected to each device on the production line 2 via a network 17 (e.g., a LAN). The line management device 18 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) that manages the production line 2 and monitors the operating status of each device on the production line 2 and manages the progress status. Each device on the production line 2 exchanges information with the line management device 18 and acquires information such as the progress status of other devices. The coordinating device 4 is, for example, a PC and communicates with each device in the production system 10. The coordinating device 4 includes a storage device 4A. The storage device 4A is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, etc., and stores a control program 28 and history information DT1, which will be described later. The coordinating device 4 executes the control program 28 using a CPU to perform overall management of the production system 10. For example, the coordinating device 4 determines the order of production, the destination of the automated guided vehicle 5, etc. The history information DT1 is data for determining the lifespan of the connector 21B (see FIG. 3) of the feeder magazine 21 used in the production system 10.

[0014] The automated guided vehicle 5 moves around the production facility where the production system 10 is installed, delivering parts needed for the production line 2 and collecting parts after use. In this embodiment, the automated guided vehicle 5 transports a feeder magazine 21 that stores feeders 22. Note that the parts transported by the automated guided vehicle 5 are not limited to the feeders 22. For example, the automated guided vehicle 5 may transport squeegees used in the printing machine 11. The control device 4, for example, performs wireless communication with the automated guided vehicle 5 and manages the parts being transported by the automated guided vehicle 5, the current position of the automated guided vehicle 5, and the like.

[0015] The production facility in which the production system 10 is installed is provided with a preparation room 9 for storing materials required for the production line 2. The automated guided vehicle 5 travels between the preparation room 9 and the production line 2 and within the production facility, automatically transporting the feeders 22. The automated guided vehicle 5 is an example of a transport robot according to the present disclosure. Note that the transport robot according to the present disclosure is not limited to a wheeled vehicle, but may also be an airborne device such as a drone. Furthermore, the destination of the automated guided vehicle 5 is not limited to the production line 2 and the preparation room 9. For example, a shelf on which the feeder magazines 21 and the feeders 22 are placed may be provided in the aisle of the production line 2. This shelf may also be connected to the network 17 and used to monitor the lifespan of the connectors 21B, which will be described later.

[0016] The display terminal 6 is, for example, a PC, and is installed in the preparation room 9. The display terminal 6 is connected to the network 17, and displays information acquired from the line management device 18, the control device 4, etc. A user in the preparation room 9 operates the display terminal 6 to manage collection and delivery of the feeders 22 by the automatic guided vehicles 5. The user in the preparation room 9 also uses, for example, a barcode reader 6A provided on the display terminal 6 to register the feeders 22, etc.

[0017] The storage device 7 is installed in the preparation room 9 and is capable of communicating with the control device 4 and the like via the network 17. The storage device 7 is a device that houses feeders 22. The storage device 7 also includes a feeder exchange device 25. The automated guided vehicle 5 transfers feeder magazines 21 to and from devices upstream of the storage device 7, similar to the transfer with the feeder storage unit 12. The feeder exchange device 25, like the line exchange device 23, exchanges feeders 22 between the feeder magazines 21 arranged upstream of the storage device 7 and a storage facility on the downstream side.

[0018] The configuration of the production system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, the automated guided vehicle 5 may exchange the feeder magazine 21 and the feeder 22 with the placement device 13. For example, the placement device 13 may be configured to be able to mount the feeder magazine 21. The automated guided vehicle 5 may then exchange the feeder magazine 21 of the placement device 13. In this case, the production line 2 may not be equipped with the line exchange device 23 or the feeder storage unit 12. The production system 10 may be configured to include multiple automated guided vehicles 5 or only one production line 2. The production system 10 may also be configured without the automated guided vehicle 5.

[0019] 2 and 3 show the state in which feeder magazines 21 are handed over between the feeder storage unit 12 and the automatic guided vehicle 5. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeder storage unit 12 is provided with a magazine table 31 on which multiple feeder magazines 21 can be placed. The magazine table 31 in this embodiment is capable of placing two feeder magazines 21 along the left-right direction. The magazine table 31 is provided with multiple rollers 33 for moving the feeder magazines 21. The multiple rollers 33 are rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction.

[0020] The control device 12A of the feeder storage unit 12 controls a drive source (such as a motor) provided in the feeder storage unit 12 to rotate a plurality of rollers 33 and transfer the feeder magazines 21 to and from the automatic guided vehicle 5. The control device 12A includes a CPU and a storage device 12B, and performs overall control of the feeder storage unit 12 by having the CPU execute a control program stored in the storage device 12B. The storage device 12B includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and a HDD. The control program includes programs for executing first and second lifespan determination processes shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, which will be described later.

[0021] The automated guided vehicle 5 drives a plurality of tires 34 provided on its bottom to move on the floor on which the production system 10 is installed and replaces the feeder magazine 21. The automated guided vehicle 5 includes an apparatus main body 35 and a mounting unit 36. The apparatus main body 35 is provided with a motor and a battery for driving the tires 34. The automated guided vehicle 5 loads a plurality of feeders 22 into the feeder magazine 21 and transports the feeder magazine 21 by placing it on the mounting unit 36. The mounting unit 36 ​​is fixed to the upper part of the apparatus main body 35 and, like the magazine table 31, is provided with a plurality of rollers 37 for moving the feeders 22. The automated guided vehicle 5 rotates the plurality of rollers 37 to transfer the feeder magazine 21 to and from the feeder storage unit 12. When the automated guided vehicle 5 is positioned at the replacement position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the rollers 33 and 37 are rotated, and the feeder magazine 21 is moved forward and backward and replaced.

[0022] The feeder magazine 21 has, for example, a cubic shape and has an opening 21A on one of its six faces (the front face in FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The feeder 22 is a rectangular plate (box-shaped) with a predetermined thickness (see FIG. 4 ) and is equipped with a reel, sprocket, stepping motor, etc. The reel is wound with a component tape in which components are tape-like. The feeder magazine 21 has multiple slots (grooves) that allow the feeders 22 to slide. The feeder magazine 21 can accommodate multiple feeders 22 by inserting a feeder 22 into each slot through the opening 21A.

[0023] The feeder 22 is provided with a feeder-side connector 22A. The feeder magazine 21 is also provided with a plurality of connectors 21B. The plurality of connectors 21B are connectors to which the feeder-side connector 22A is connected, and are provided on the rear side wall 21D of the feeder magazine 21 in FIGS. 2 and 3. The connectors 21B are attached to the inner wall of the side wall 21D for each slot. The number of connectors 21B provided is the same as the number of feeders 22 that can be accommodated in the feeder magazine 21. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeder magazine 21 has five connectors 21B, and a feeder 22 is connected to each of the five connectors 21B.

[0024] The feeder 22 is also provided with a locking mechanism 22B. The locking mechanism 22B has, for example, a movable locking pin. The feeder magazine 21 has an insertion hole for inserting the locking pin formed in the inner wall at the top on the opening 21A side. The locking mechanism 22B is driven by the line exchanging device 23 or the feeder exchanging device 25. For example, the line exchanging device 23 inserts the feeder 22 into a predetermined slot in the feeder magazine 21, and then drives the locking mechanism 22B to engage the locking pin with the insertion hole, thereby fixing the feeder 22 to the feeder magazine 21. When removing the feeder 22, the line exchanging device 23 drives the locking mechanism 22B to remove the locking pin from the insertion hole to release the lock, and then removes the feeder 22 from the feeder magazine 21.

[0025] The feeders 22 are fixed to the feeder magazine 21 by the locking mechanism 22B, and are transported together with the feeder magazine 21 by the automatic guided vehicle 5 with the feeder-side connector 22A connected to the connector 21B. Therefore, when the feeder magazine 21 is handed over between the automatic guided vehicle 5 and the feeder storage unit 12, all of the feeders 22 housed in the feeder magazine 21 are fixed to the feeder magazine 21 by the locking mechanism 22B, and the feeder-side connector 22A is connected to the connector 21B.

[0026] A magazine-side connector 21E is provided on the outer surface of side wall 21D, i.e., the surface behind the surface on which connector 21B is provided. Also, a storage-unit-side connector 12D is provided in feeder storage unit 12. Magazine-side connector 21E is detachable from storage-unit-side connector 12D. Storage-unit-side connector 12D is located at a position where it can be connected to magazine-side connector 21E when feeder magazine 21 is placed on magazine stand 31. A storage-unit-side connector 12D is provided at each position where feeder magazine 21 is placed, for a total of two storage-unit-side connectors 12D.

[0027] When the feeder magazine 21 is placed on the magazine table 31, the feeder 22 is electrically connected to the feeder storage unit 12 via a feeder-side connector 22A, a connector 21B, a magazine-side connector 21E, and a storage unit-side connector 12D (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as each connector). Each connector is provided with terminals corresponding to a communication line, a power line, a ground line, etc. The control device 12A communicates with the feeder magazine 21 and the feeder 22 via each connector. The feeder 22 is also able to communicate with the supervisory device 4, the line management device 18, etc. via each connector.

[0028] The connector 21B is provided with a memory 21F. The memory 21F stores a connector ID for identifying the connector 21B, as well as history information DT1 necessary for determining the lifespan of the connector 21B (see FIG. 6 ). Details of the information in the memory 21F will be described later. The control device 12A reads data from and writes data to the memory 21F via each connector. The control device 12A can also control the start and stop of power supply to the feeders 22 via each connector. The automated guided vehicle 5 may transfer the feeders 22 individually, rather than transferring the entire feeder magazine 21 to the feeder storage unit 12. For example, the automated guided vehicle 5 may be provided with a chuck mechanism that removes the feeders 22 one by one from the feeder magazine 21 on the mounting unit 36. In this case, the feeder storage unit 12 may be provided with the connector 21B as the connector of the present disclosure.

[0029] Although detailed description will be omitted, the storage device 7 in the preparation room 9 is provided with a device similar to the feeder storage unit 12 at an upstream position, and is equipped with rollers 33, a storage unit side connector 12D, etc. The control device of the storage device 7, like the feeder storage unit 12, communicates with the feeders 22 housed in the feeder magazine 21.

[0030] (Regarding the Placement Device 13) As shown in FIG. 4 , the placement device 13 includes two board transport devices 41, a head movement mechanism 43, and a pallet 44. The two board transport devices 41 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The board transport device 41 includes a belt conveyor or the like for transporting the board 19, and transports the board 19 in the left-to-right direction. The head movement mechanism 43 is an XY robot provided on the top of the placement device 13. The head movement mechanism 43 moves a slider 45 to any position in the left-to-right direction (X-axis direction) and the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction). A placement head 47 is detachably attached to the slider 45. A suction nozzle is attached to the placement head 47 to pick up components supplied from the feeder 22.

[0031] The pallet 44 is provided at the front end portion of the mounting device 13. Slots (grooves) that guide the feeders 22 in the front-rear direction are provided in the bottom of the pallet 44. A pallet connection section 48 is provided on the rear side of the pallet 44. The pallet connection section 48 has a wall facing forward, and a plurality of mounting device-side connectors 49 are provided on the wall. The plurality of mounting device-side connectors 49 are provided in the same number as the number of slots, i.e., the number of feeders 22 that can be mounted on the pallet 44, and are connected to the feeder-side connectors 22A (see FIG. 2) of the feeders 22 mounted in the slots.

[0032] Like the control device 12A of the feeder storage unit 12, the control device 13A of the placement device 13 includes a CPU and a storage device 13B. The CPU executes a control program stored in the storage device 13B to provide overall control of the placement device 13. The control device 13A communicates with the feeders 22 connected to the pallets 44 via the feeder-side connector 22A and the placement device-side connector 49. Like the control device 12A, the control device 13A can read data from the memory 21F (see FIG. 2). The control device 13A also drives a stepping motor provided in the feeder 22 via the feeder-side connector 22A and the placement device-side connector 49 to supply components from the feeder 22. The control device 13A uses the placement head 47 to pick up components supplied from the feeder 22 and place them on the board 19 transported by the board transport device 41.

[0033] The placement device 13 also has a feeder stocker 51 below the pallet 44. The feeder stocker 51 is a storage facility that temporarily stores the feeders 22. Similar to the pallet 44, the feeder stocker 51 has a placement device-side connector 52 provided for each slot. The placement device 13 communicates with the feeders 22 stored in each slot of the feeder stocker 51 via the placement device-side connector 52 and the feeder-side connector 22A. Similar to the feeder magazine 21, the pallet 44 and the feeder stocker 51 are provided with insertion holes into which the locking mechanisms 22B of the feeders 22 engage.

[0034] Traveling rails are provided in front of the placement device 13 and the feeder storage unit 12. The line exchange device 23 moves along these travelling rails to the left and right, i.e., along the direction in which the devices on the production line 2 are lined up. The line exchange device 23 can move to the front of the feeder storage unit 12 or any placement device 13. The line exchange device 23 is equipped with a chuck mechanism that chucks the feeder 22. The line exchange device 23 uses this chuck mechanism to release the locking mechanism 22B (see FIG. 2 ) of the feeder 22 and lock it with the locking mechanism 22B. The line exchange device 23 also uses the chuck mechanism to exchange the feeder 22 between the feeder storage unit 12, the pallet 44, and the feeder stocker 51. The line exchange device 23 also has a mechanism that moves the feeder 22 up and down within the device, allowing it to exchange the feeder 22 between the pallet 44 and the feeder stocker 51.

[0035] 4 are merely examples. For example, the placement device 13 may be configured to include only one substrate transport device 41. The placement device 13 may also be configured to be able to mount two placement heads 47. The placement device 13 may not necessarily include the feeder stocker 51. Therefore, the line replacement device 23 may not necessarily include a mechanism for moving the feeder 22 in the vertical direction.

[0036] (Regarding connector lifespan determination processing) Here, the connectors used in the production system 10 deteriorate due to repeated insertion and removal. As the connector deteriorates, communication errors occur, and as the deterioration progresses, communication becomes impossible. The connector reaches a state in which replacement is required, i.e., the connector has reached the end of its lifespan. The production system 10 of this embodiment targets the connector 21B of the feeder magazine 21 as the connector to be determined for its lifespan, and determines whether the connector 21B has reached the end of its lifespan (whether replacement is required).

[0037] Furthermore, the production system 10 is capable of switching between a first main mode in which the control device 12A (feeder storage unit 12) or the storage device 7 determines the lifespan of the connector 21B, and a second main mode in which the control device 4 determines the lifespan. Furthermore, the production system 10 is capable of switching between a first lifespan determination mode in which a first lifespan determination process is executed, and a second lifespan determination mode in which a second lifespan determination process is executed, as a method of determining the lifespan of the connector 21B.

[0038] (First Main Mode and First Lifespan Determination Mode) In the following description, first, a case where the first main mode and the first lifespan determination mode are set will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the first lifespan determination process. In the first main mode, the feeder storage unit 12 or the storage device 7 determines the lifespan. That is, the device that inserts and removes the feeder 22 into and from the connector 21B via the feeder magazine 21 mainly determines the lifespan. This allows the lifespan of the connector 21B to be monitored by each device that inserts and removes the feeder 22 into and from the connector 21B. In the following description, a case where the control device 12A of the feeder storage unit 12 executes the first lifespan determination process will be described. However, the storage device 7 can also execute the process in a similar manner.

[0039] For example, when a user operates the supervisory device 4 to set the first main mode and the first lifespan determination mode, the control device 12A executes the control program in the storage device 12B and starts the processing shown in Fig. 5. Note that the change of each mode may be accepted by a device other than the supervisory device 4, such as the feeder storage unit 12. Furthermore, the condition for starting the processing in Fig. 5 is not limited to the condition for setting a mode, but may also be the condition for starting replacement / transportation of the feeder 22.

[0040] 5, the control device 12A first determines whether a feeder 22 has been attached in step (hereinafter referred to as unit S) 11. The control device 12A executes the process of FIG. 5 for each connector 21B of the feeder magazine 21 connected to the storage unit-side connector 12D of the magazine table 31. Therefore, the control device 12A makes a negative determination in S11 (S11: NO) and repeatedly executes the determination process of S11 until at least one of the conditions for connecting a new feeder magazine 21 to the storage unit-side connector 12D and the condition for attaching a new feeder magazine 21 to an already connected feeder magazine 21 is met.

[0041] For example, when a new feeder 22 is attached to the connector 21B of an empty slot of an already connected feeder magazine 21 (S11: YES), the control device 12A executes the processes from S13 onward for the attached connector 21B (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the target connector 21B). A method for detecting that a new feeder 22 has been attached to the connector 21B of an already connected feeder magazine 21 can be, for example, a method of receiving a notification from the line exchange device 23. When the line exchange device 23 attaches the feeder 22 to the feeder magazine 21 and completes locking by the locking mechanism 22B, it notifies the control device 12A that the attachment is complete. The control device 12A may detect that a new feeder 22 has been attached on the condition that it has received this notification. Alternatively, a sensor that detects whether the feeder 22 has been attached to the slot may be provided in the feeder magazine 21. Furthermore, when a user manually attaches a feeder 22 to the feeder 22, the user may input the attachment by operating the line management device 18 or the like.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, when a feeder magazine 21 is transported by the automated guided vehicle 5 and a new feeder magazine 21 is connected to the storage unit-side connector 12D, the control device 12A may determine that all of the feeders 22 in the newly connected feeder magazine 21 have been newly attached (S11: YES). In this case, the control device 12A sets all of the feeders 22 in the feeder magazine 21 in order as the target connector 21B and executes the process of FIG. 5.

[0043] In S13, the control device 12A increments the number of insertions and removals of the target connector 21B by one. FIG. 6 shows history information DT1 stored in the memory 21F of the connector 21B. The history information DT1 stores the connector ID, the number of insertions and removals CNT1, and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 of the target connector 21B. The connector ID is identification information that can individually identify the connectors 21B used in the production system 10, such as a unique number or alphabet. The number of insertions and removals CNT1 is the number of insertions and removals of the feeder 22 into and from the connector 21B between the last time the reacquisition process of S19 described below was executed and the time the reacquisition process of S19 was executed again for the same connector 21B. The total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is the total (cumulative) number of insertions and removals of the feeder 22 into and from the target connector 21B. In S13, the control device 12A increments each of the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 by one.

[0044] Next, the control device 12A acquires feeder information from the feeder 22 connected to the target connector 21B (S14). The feeder information is information that indicates what type of feeder 22 the feeder 22 is. Examples of feeder information that can be used include a feeder ID that identifies the feeder 22, information on the type of components supplied by the feeder 22, and the model number of the feeder 22. This information is associated with a barcode affixed to the feeder 22 and managed by the display terminal 6. The feeder 22 is provided with a memory that stores the feeder information. The control device 12A supplies power to the feeder 22 connected to the target connector 21B and reads the feeder information from the feeder 22 via the target connector 21B.

[0045] After executing S14, the control device 12A determines whether or not the acquisition of the feeder information was successful (S15). If the acquisition of the feeder information was successful in S14 (S15: YES), the control device 12A associates the acquired feeder information with the slot (connector 21B) in which the feeder 22 is installed (S17). The control device 12A associates, for example, the feeder information with the slot identification number. The control device 12A terminates the process shown in FIG. 5. For example, the line management device 18 replaces and transports the feeder 22 based on the information associated in S17. The line management device 18 manages which feeder 22 is connected to which slot (connector 21B, etc.) based on the associated feeder information, and replaces and transports the feeder 22 using the line exchange device 23.

[0046] On the other hand, if the control device 12A fails to acquire the feeder information in S14 (S15: NO), it executes S19. For example, if the target connector 21B has deteriorated due to repeated insertion and removal, there is a risk of failing to acquire the feeder information. In S19, the control device 12A executes a process to re-acquire the feeder information via the target connector 21B. Before S14 is executed, when the feeder 22 is attached to the feeder magazine 21 by the line replacement device 23 or the like, the locking mechanism 22B is driven to fix the position of the feeder 22 relative to the connector 21B. The control device 12A executes the acquisition process of S14 with the locking mechanism 22B driven and the feeder 22 fixed relative to the connector 21B. Furthermore, in the re-acquisition process of S19, the control device 12A cuts off the power supplied from the target connector 21B to the feeder 22 while the locking mechanism 22B remains fixed, and then resumes the power supply, and executes acquisition of the feeder information via the connector 21B.

[0047] According to this, in the reacquisition process of S19, the power supply to the feeder 22 is turned off once and then turned on again while the feeder 22 remains fixed to the connector 21B. As a result, if any error occurs in the feeder 22, the error can be resolved by turning the power supply back on, and data transmission may become possible. Note that it is not necessary to turn off the power supply once in S19. Also, the locking mechanism 22B may be released and relocked before executing S19. Alternatively, the feeder 22 may be unplugged and then replugged by the line replacement device 23.

[0048] After executing S19, the control device 12A determines whether the re-acquisition process of S19 succeeded in acquiring the feeder information (S21). If the control device 12A fails to acquire the feeder information, i.e., if the control device 12A fails to acquire the feeder information two consecutive times (S21: NO), it notifies the line management device 18 of an error (S23) and terminates the process shown in FIG. 5. The line management device 18 displays an error on the screen and temporarily stops production on the production line 2 managed by the control device 12A. The line management device 18 displays, for example, the connector ID of the connector 21B for which it failed to acquire the feeder information. The user replaces the connector 21B or the feeder magazine 21, and inputs to the line management device 18 that the error has been resolved. Upon receiving the input from the user, the line management device 18 resumes production.

[0049] Therefore, if the control device 12A executes the reacquisition process of S19 and fails to acquire the feeder information, it notifies the error and temporarily stops production, thereby preventing data transmission via the connector 21B, i.e., restricting data transmission. According to this, if the reacquisition process fails to acquire the feeder information even after executing the reacquisition process, it notifies the error and restricts data transmission. If S19 fails just once, it can be determined that the connector 21B is faulty and the user can be requested to replace the connector 21B, etc. The control device 12A may execute the feeder information reacquisition process multiple times, and if the process fails even after multiple executions, it may execute S23. Alternatively, the line management device 18 may simply stop the replacement of the feeder 22 for the connector 21B where the error occurred, without stopping production.

[0050] On the other hand, if the control device 12A successfully acquires the feeder information through the reacquisition process (S21: YES), it determines whether a replacement notice has been issued (S25). The control device 12A determines whether the replacement notice, which is executed in S31 (described later), has already been issued for the target connector 21B. A method for determining whether a replacement notice has been issued may, for example, store a flag value for each connector 21B (connector ID) in the storage device 12B and change the flag value in response to execution of S31. In this case, in S25, it can be determined whether a replacement notice has been issued based on the flag value of the target connector 21B. Furthermore, this flag value information may be shared between the feeder storage unit 12 and the storage device 7. By sharing this information, the feeder storage unit 12 and the storage device 7, i.e., the entire production system 10, can issue a replacement notice only once. Furthermore, if the flag values ​​were managed separately, the feeder storage unit 12 and the storage device 7 would issue replacement notices at different times.

[0051] If the flag value of the target connector 21B indicates that the replacement has not been performed (S25: NO), the control device 12A determines whether the number of insertions and removals CNT1 of the target connector 21B is equal to or less than the replacement notice number TH1 (S27). If the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is greater than the replacement notice number TH1 (S27: NO), the control device 12A resets the number of insertions and removals CNT1 in the history information DT1 to zero (S29) and executes S17. This restarts the counting of the number of insertions and removals CNT1 from zero. Furthermore, if the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is equal to or less than the replacement notice number TH1 (S27: YES), the control device 12A executes the replacement notice (S31). After executing S31, the control device 12A resets the number of insertions and removals CNT1 in S29. Furthermore, the control device 12A changes the flag value of the target connector 21B to a value indicating that the replacement notice has been executed.

[0052] The replacement notice count TH1 is a number greater than the replacement instruction count TH2, which instructs replacement, described later, and is, for example, 1,000. In this case, the replacement notice of S31 is not executed while the number of insertions and removals CNT1 between the last execution of the re-acquisition process and the next execution is greater than 1,000. Then, when the number of insertions and removals CNT1 becomes 1,000 or less (S27: YES), the replacement notice is executed (S31). In S31, the control device 12A notifies, for example, the connector ID of the target connector 21B, i.e., the connector ID of the connector 21B whose number of insertions and removals CNT1 has become equal to or less than the replacement notice count TH1. The device that issues the notification may be the line management device 18 or the coordinating device 4. For example, the coordinating device 4 displays the identification information, device information, connector ID, etc. of the production line 2 based on the information received from the control device 12A, and displays a message indicating that replacement work for the connector 21B with that connector ID will occur soon. This allows the user to be prompted to take appropriate precautions in advance, such as preparing a replacement connector ID.

[0053] Furthermore, if the flag value of the target connector 21B in S25 indicates that a replacement notice has been issued, i.e., if the replacement notice of S31 has already been issued for the target connector 21B (S25: YES), the control device 12A determines whether the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is equal to or less than the number of replacement instructions TH2 (S33). If the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is greater than the number of replacement instructions TH2 (S33: NO), the control device 12A executes S29. Therefore, once the control device 12A issues a replacement notice, it resets the number of insertions and removals CNT1 each time it executes the reacquisition process until the number of insertions and removals CNT1 becomes equal to or less than the number of replacement instructions TH2, and continues to determine the lifespan. Installation work, etc., can continue.

[0054] If the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is equal to or less than the number of replacement instructions TH2 (S33: YES), the control device 12A executes a replacement instruction (S35). The number of replacement instructions TH2 is the number of times used to determine whether the target connector 21B needs to be replaced, and is, for example, 500 times. As the feeder 22 is repeatedly inserted and removed, deterioration of the connector 21B progresses. As the connector 21B deteriorates, the number of times that acquisition of feeder information fails and the reacquisition process is executed increases. Therefore, it is expected that the frequency of execution of the reacquisition process increases as the deterioration of the connector 21B progresses. Therefore, the control device 12A executes a replacement notice when the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is equal to or less than the number of replacement notices TH1, and issues a replacement instruction when the number of insertions and removals CNT1 is equal to or less than the number of replacement instructions TH2, which is less than the number of replacement notices TH1. According to this, it can be determined that the connector 21B has reached the end of its life based on whether the number of insertions and removals CNT1 between the execution of S19 and the next execution of S19 is equal to or less than the number of replacement instructions TH2.

[0055] In S35, the control device 12A notifies the commanding device 4 of, for example, the connector ID of the target connector 21B. The commanding device 4 displays the connector ID and the like based on the information received from the control device 12A, and displays a message requesting replacement of the connector 21B with that connector ID. Furthermore, the line management device 18, for example, stops production on the production line 2 that it manages based on the information received from the control device 12A. When the user inputs information indicating that the appropriate action has been taken, the line management device 18 resumes production on the production line 2. As an appropriate action, the user can replace the connector 21B, switch the feeder 22 to an alternative slot, or the like.

[0056] After executing S35, the control device 12A ends the processing shown in FIG. 5. In this case, since the feeder information cannot be acquired, S17 is not executed. For example, when production on the production line 2 is resumed, the control device 12A resumes the processing from S11 and determines the lifespan of the replaced connector 21B and other connectors 21B. Note that, although the above description has been given of the case where the feeder storage unit 12 executes the first lifespan determination processing, the storage device 7 also executes it in a similar manner. That is, the storage device 7 may make a positive determination in S11 and execute the processing from S13 onward when a new feeder magazine 21 is connected to the storage device 7 itself or when a new feeder 22 is connected to an already connected feeder magazine 21.

[0057] Therefore, as described above, in S33, the control device 12A determines the number of insertions / removals CNT1 of the feeder 22 inserted into / removed from the connector 21B from the previous execution of S19 until the next execution of S19 based on the history information DT1, and determines the lifespan of the connector 21B. This makes it possible to determine the lifespan of the connector 21B based on the number of insertions / removals performed between two consecutive executions of S19, i.e., the number of times the feeder information was successfully obtained in S14. As deterioration of the connector 21B progresses, the number of insertions / removals CNT1 decreases, so the lifespan of the connector 21B can be appropriately determined based on the number of insertions / removals CNT1.

[0058] Furthermore, in S14, the control device 12A acquires feeder information from the feeder 22 for the feeder magazine 21 connected to the storage unit-side connector 12D via the connector 21B, of the multiple connectors 21B of the feeder magazine 21, to which the feeder 22 is newly connected. If the control device 12A is unable to acquire the feeder information (S15: NO), in S19, the control device 12A executes a process to reacquire the feeder information via the connector 21B to which the feeder 22 is newly connected. Then, in S33, the control device 12A determines the lifespan of the connector 21B to which the feeder 22 is newly connected, based on the history information DT1 for which the reacquisition process was executed.

[0059] According to this, the feeder 22 connected to the connector 21B is replaced in response to changes in the type of component, etc. The number of insertions and removals CNT1 may be thousands or tens of thousands of times, and the timing of insertion and removal varies for each connector 21B. Even for connectors 21B of the same type, there are differences in the degree and speed of deterioration. For this reason, it is extremely effective to determine the lifespan of each connector 21B provided in the feeder magazine 21 based on the history information DT1 of the reacquisition process described above.

[0060] (Second-Dominated Mode and First Lifespan Determination Mode) When the second-dominant mode is set, the commanding device 4 executes the first lifespan determination process shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 1, a control program 28 is stored in the storage device 4A of the commanding device 4. For example, when the commanding device 4 receives an operation to set the first-dominant mode and the first lifespan determination mode, it executes the control program 28 and starts the process shown in Fig. 5.

[0061] Furthermore, the storage device 4A of the coordinating device 4 is capable of storing history information DT1. For example, when the coordinating device 4 receives a notification indicating that a new feeder 22 has been connected from the control device 12A of each production line 2 or the storage device 7 in the preparation room 9 (S11: YES), the coordinating device 4 acquires history information DT1 for the target connector 21B from the device where the new connection occurred (the control device 12A or the storage device 7) and stores it in the storage device 4A. Based on the history information DT1 in the storage device 4A, the coordinating device 4 executes a first lifespan determination process for each connector 21B in the production system 10, similar to the control device 12A, and issues a replacement notice or replacement instruction. In this case, the coordinating device 4 can centrally manage all connectors 21B in the production system 10. The history information DT1 for each connector 21B can be stored in the coordinating device 4 as a log. The coordinating device 4 may also display the location of the connector 21B for which a replacement notice or replacement instruction has been issued using the production line 2 number or a map.

[0062] Therefore, in the second main mode, the control device 4 determines the lifespan of the target connector 21B based on the history information DT1 obtained by executing the reacquisition process of S19 in the feeder storage unit 12. This allows the control device 4 to collectively manage the lifespan at which the connectors 21B in the feeder magazines 21 of the entire production system 10 need to be replaced.

[0063] (First Main Mode and Second Lifespan Judgment Mode) Next, a case where the first main mode and the second lifespan judgment mode are set will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the second lifespan judgment process. In the first lifespan judgment process, the lifespan is judged using the number of insertions and removals CNT1, whereas in the second lifespan judgment process, the lifespan is judged using the total number of insertions and removals CNT2. Therefore, in the following explanation, explanations of content similar to the first lifespan judgment mode described above will be omitted as appropriate. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, processes similar to the processes in FIG. 5 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0064] The control device 12A starts the process of FIG. 7 , and when a new feeder 22 is installed (S11: YES), it adds up the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 (S13) and acquires feeder information (S14). If the control device 12A can acquire the feeder information (S15: YES), it associates the acquired feeder information with the slot (S17) and executes S41. By executing S17, the newly installed feeder 22 is managed in association with the slot. Furthermore, if the control device 12A fails to acquire the feeder information (S15: NO), it executes reacquisition processing (S19) and executes S17 and S23 depending on the success or failure of the reacquisition processing. Therefore, in the second lifespan determination process, the replacement notice (S31) and replacement instruction (S35) are not executed before executing the association in S17.

[0065] When the control device 12A executes S17, it determines whether the target connector 21B has been unplugged (S41), and if so (S41: YES), it executes S25. As with the method for determining attachment, the method for determining whether a feeder 22 has been unplugged can employ a method for determining whether at least one of the following conditions is met: a condition for an already connected feeder magazine 21 to be removed from the storage unit-side connector 12D to the automatic guided vehicle 5, and a condition for an attached feeder 22 to be removed from an already connected feeder magazine 21. Therefore, when a feeder magazine 21 is removed, the control device 12A executes the processes from S25 onwards for all feeders 22 in the removed feeder magazine 21.

[0066] The control device 12A acquires from the storage device 12B a flag value for the connector 21B from which the feeder 22 has been removed (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the removed connector 21B), and determines whether a replacement notice has been issued based on the acquired flag value (S25). If a replacement notice has not been issued (S25: NO), the control device 12A determines whether the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 of the removed connector 21B is equal to or greater than the replacement notice number TH3 (S45). The replacement notice number TH3 is, for example, 15,000 times. If the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is less than the replacement notice number TH3 (S45: NO), the control device 12A terminates the processing of FIG. 7. If the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is equal to or greater than the replacement notice number TH3, the control device 12A issues a replacement notice (S31). This allows the control device 12A to notify the user that the connector 21B is nearing the end of its life when the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 reaches 15,000 times.

[0067] Furthermore, if the control device 12A has already issued the replacement notice in S35 (S25: YES), it determines whether the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is equal to or greater than the upper limit number of insertions and removals TH4 (S47). The upper limit number of insertions and removals TH4 is, for example, the maximum number of insertions and removals recommended by the manufacturer of the connector 21B, i.e., the number of insertions and removals at which replacement is recommended. The upper limit number of insertions and removals TH4 is greater than the replacement notice number TH3, for example, 20,000 times. The replacement notice number TH3 and the upper limit number of insertions and removals TH4 are stored, for example, in the storage device 12B. If the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is less than the upper limit number of insertions and removals TH4 (S47: NO), the control device 12A terminates the processing of FIG. 7. If the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is equal to or greater than the upper limit number of insertions and removals TH4 (S47: YES), the control device 12A issues a replacement instruction (S35). As a result, when the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 of the connector 21B reaches 20,000, production can be stopped and the user can be requested to replace the connector 21B.

[0068] As described above, the control device 12A of this embodiment is capable of executing a first lifespan judgment mode and a second lifespan judgment mode. When the first lifespan judgment mode is set, the control device 12A executes S14, S19, and S33. Also, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the second lifespan judgment mode is set, the control device 12A executes S14. Furthermore, when the total number of insertions / removals CNT2, which is the total number of times the feeder 22 has been inserted / removed into / from the connector 21B, is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit TH4 (S47: YES), the control device 12A determines that the connector 21B has reached the end of its lifespan (S31). Accordingly, some users may wish to uniformly manage the lifespan of all connectors 21B based on, for example, the upper limit TH4 recommended by the connector 21B manufacturer. On the other hand, some users may wish to use the connectors 21B for as long as possible depending on the degree of deterioration of each connector 21B, rather than uniformly managing the lifespan of each connector 21B based on a fixed value (upper limit TH4). In the former case, the user can select the second lifespan determination mode, and in the latter case, the user can select the first lifespan determination mode. Thus, the user can select a mode according to their needs and determine the lifespan.

[0069] When the second main mode and the second lifespan determination mode are set, the supervisory device 4 executes the second lifespan determination mode. The supervisory device 4 acquires information on the increase in the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 and information on the timing when the feeder 22 was removed from the feeder storage unit 12 or the storage device 7, and can determine the lifespan based on the acquired information. As described above, the supervisory device 4 counts the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 in both the first and second lifespan determination modes. Therefore, even if the lifespan determination mode is switched during counting, the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 being measured in the memory 21F can be reused in the changed mode. However, the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 may be reset depending on the mode change.

[0070] Furthermore, the content and order of the processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the first lifespan determination process shown in FIG. 5, a replacement notice and a replacement instruction are executed before associating feeder information in S17. However, as in the second lifespan determination process shown in FIG. 7, the number of insertions and removals CNT1 may be determined and a replacement notice and a replacement instruction may be executed after S17 is executed. Conversely, in the second lifespan determination process, the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 is determined after S17 is executed, but the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 may be determined and a replacement notice and a replacement instruction may be executed before S17 is executed. Furthermore, the process of counting up the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 in S13 may also be executed after S17.

[0071] The production system 10 may be configured to execute only one of the first and second main modes. Alternatively, the production system 10 may be configured to execute only the first lifespan determination process. In this case, the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 does not need to be stored as the history information DT1.

[0072] Therefore, the configuration of the history information DT1 shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example. Specifically, the lifespan of the connector 21B may be determined based on values ​​other than the number of insertions and removals CNT1 and the total number of insertions and removals CNT2. For example, the control device 12A may store the date and time when the reacquisition process of S19 was last executed in the history information DT1 of the memory 21F. The control device 12A then determines in S27 whether the elapsed time since the last execution of the reacquisition process is equal to or less than the replacement notice time. If the elapsed time is equal to or less than the replacement notice time (S27: YES), the control device 12A executes the replacement notice (S31). Furthermore, for example, in S33, the control device 12A determines whether the elapsed time is equal to or less than the replacement instruction time, which is shorter than the replacement notice time. If the elapsed time is equal to or less than the replacement instruction time (S33: YES), the control device 12A executes the replacement instruction (S35). In this way, the replacement notice and replacement instruction may be executed as the interval between executions of the reacquisition process becomes shorter.

[0073] Alternatively, the lifespan may be determined based on the total number of times the reacquisition process of S19 has been executed. For example, the control device 12A measures the total number of times the reacquisition process of S19 has been executed instead of the total number of insertions and removals CNT2 in FIG. 7. The control device 12A may then issue a replacement notice or a replacement instruction in response to an increase in the total number of times the reacquisition process has been executed. This allows the control device 12A to issue a replacement notice or a replacement instruction when the number of times the reacquisition process has been executed increases in response to deterioration of the connector 21B.

[0074] The control device 12A may not necessarily execute the replacement notice. Furthermore, in the process of FIG. 5, the control device 12A may execute S27 when a positive determination is made in S21 (S21: YES) without executing S25, and may execute S33 when a positive determination is made in S27 (S27: YES). The control device 12A may execute S35 when a positive determination is made in S33 (S33: YES), and may execute the replacement notice (S31) when a negative determination is made (S33: NO). This allows the replacement notice to be executed multiple times.

[0075] Incidentally, the correspondence between the terms used in this embodiment and those used in the claims will be explained below. The automated guided vehicle 5 in this embodiment is an example of a transport robot. The production system 10 is an example of a mounting system. The feeder storage unit 12 and the storage device 7 are examples of a mounting device. The storage unit side connector 12D is an example of a connection unit. The feeder 22 is an example of a device to be connected. The replacement notice count TH1 is an example of a second threshold count. The replacement instruction count TH2 is an example of a first threshold count.

[0076] As described above, the present embodiment provides the following advantages. The control device 12A of the feeder storage unit 12, which is one aspect of the present embodiment, transmits feeder information between the feeder 22 connected to the connector 21B and the storage unit connector 12D (S14, an example of a data transmission process or data transmission step). If the control device 12A fails to transmit the feeder information in S14 (S15: NO), the control device 12A transmits the feeder information again via the storage unit connector 12D (S19, an example of a re-data transmission process or data re-transmission step). The control device 12A determines the lifespan of the storage unit connector 12D based on the number of insertions and removals CNT1 in S19 (S33, an example of a lifespan determination process or lifespan determination step).

[0077] According to this, if the control device 12A fails to acquire the feeder information in S14, it attempts to reacquire the feeder information (S19). The control device 12A determines the lifespan of the connector 21B based on the history information DT1 (number of insertions and removals CNT1) for which the reacquisition process was executed. If the degree of deterioration differs for each connector 21B, the frequency and number of times the reacquisition process is executed, i.e., the number of times the feeder information transmission fails, will also differ. Therefore, by determining the lifespan of the connector 21B based on the history information DT1, it is possible to determine the lifespan of each connector 21B based on the deterioration state of the connector 21B.

[0078] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the configurations of the systems, devices, etc. described in the above-described embodiments are merely examples. For example, the production line 2 may not include the line replacement device 23. Furthermore, the work of replacing the feeder magazine 21 in the feeder storage unit 12 and the feeders 22 in the mounting device 13 may be performed manually. Furthermore, the production line 2 may not include the supervisory device 4. In the above-described embodiments, the connector 21B of the feeder magazine 21 is used as the connector whose lifespan is to be determined, but this is not limited to this. The connector whose lifespan is to be determined may also be the feeder-side connector 22A, the magazine-side connector 21E, the storage unit-side connector 12D, the mounting device-side connectors 49 and 52, etc. Therefore, the entities that execute the first and second lifespan determination processes are not limited to the control device 12A, the storage device 7, and the supervisory device 4. For example, the mounting device 13 may determine the lifespan of the mounting device-side connectors 49 and 52 using first and second lifespan determination processes. Furthermore, the target connection device of the present disclosure is not limited to the feeder 22. For example, if the storage unit-side connector 12D is the target for lifespan determination, the feeder magazine 21 is an example of the target connection device of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the portion of the feeder storage unit 12 where the storage unit-side connector 12D is provided is an example of the connection section of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if the mounting device-side connectors 49 and 52 are the target for lifespan determination, the feeder 22 is an example of the target connection device of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the pallet connection section 48 and the feeder stocker 51 are examples of the connection section of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each connector 21B is provided with a memory 21F, but the feeder magazine 21 may be provided with one memory. Furthermore, the history information DT1 of all connectors 21B included in the feeder magazine 21 may be recorded and updated in the memory of the feeder magazine 21. In this case, when the connector 21B is replaced, the information in the memory of the replaced connector 21B may be reset.

[0079] Furthermore, the connector of the present disclosure is not limited to a connector associated with the feeder 22. For example, a connector to which the mounting head 47 of the mounting device 13 is attached may be the connector whose lifespan is to be determined. In this case, the mounting head is an example of a target device of the present disclosure. Therefore, a connector to which a target device is detachable and which is detached at a certain frequency may be employed as the connector of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as an example of the data transmission process and re-data transmission process of the present disclosure, the process of reading (acquiring) feeder information from the connector 21B to the control device 12A (S14, S19) is executed. However, this is not limited to this. For example, a write process to the memory 21F of the connector 21B may be executed from the control device 12A. The lifespan may then be determined based on whether or not this write process was successful. The transport robot of the present disclosure is not limited to a vehicle such as the automated guided vehicle 5, but may also be an air vehicle such as a drone. Furthermore, the feeder magazine 21 may be transferred by an articulated robot provided on the automated guided vehicle 5. Therefore, the method of transporting and transferring the feeder magazine 21 may be changed as appropriate. The data of the present disclosure is not limited to feeder information.

[0080] 5 and 7, the life of the connector 21B is determined based on the number of times the feeder 22 is attached and detached. However, the life may also be determined based on the number of times the feeder 22 is attached to or detached from the connector 21B. The configuration of the history information DT1 shown in FIG. 6 is an example. For example, the connector ID may be stored separately from the history information DT1. In the above embodiment, the number of insertions and detachments CNT1 and the total number of insertions and detachments CNT2 are managed in the memory 21F of each connector 21B. However, information such as the number of insertions and detachments CNT1 may be associated with the connector ID and stored and managed only in the storage device 12B or the storage device 4A.

[0081] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the dependent relationships described in the claims. For example, this specification also discloses a technical idea in claim 4 where "the mounting device according to claim 1 or claim 2" is changed to "the mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3." This specification also discloses a technical idea in claim 5 where "the mounting device according to claim 1 or claim 2" is changed to "the mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4." This specification also discloses a technical idea in claim 6 where "the mounting device according to claim 1 or claim 2" is changed to "the mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5." This specification also discloses a technical idea in claim 7 where "the mounting device according to claim 1 or claim 2" is changed to "the mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6."

[0082] 4 Control device, 5 Automated guided vehicle (transport robot), 7 Storage device (mounting device), 10 Production system (mounting system), 12 Feeder storage unit (mounting device), 12A Control device, 12D Storage unit side connector (connection unit), 21 Feeder magazine, 21B Connector, 22 Feeder (device to be connected), 22B Locking mechanism, CNT1 Number of insertions and removals, CNT2 Total number of insertions and removals, DT1 History information, TH1 Number of replacement notices (second threshold number), TH2 Number of replacement instructions (first threshold number), TH4 Upper limit number.

Claims

1. An attachment device comprising: a connection unit capable of connecting a target device via a connector; and a control device that executes a data transmission process for transmitting data via the connection unit between the target device connected to the connector, a re-data transmission process for retransmitting the data via the connector if the data transmission process fails, and a lifespan determination process for determining the lifespan of the connector based on history information of the re-data transmission process.

2. The mounting device described in claim 1, wherein the control device, in the lifespan determination process, determines the number of times the connection target device has been inserted and removed from the connector since the last time the re-data transmission process was performed until the re-data transmission process is performed again, based on the history information, and determines the lifespan of the connector.

3. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein the control device, in the lifespan determination process, determines that the connector has reached the end of its life if the number of insertions and removals is equal to or less than a first threshold number, and issues an advance notification indicating that the connector is nearing the end of its life if the number of insertions and removals is equal to or less than a second threshold number that is greater than the first threshold number.

4. The mounting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device executes the re-data transmission process, and if the data transmission fails, notifies of an error and restricts the execution of the data transmission via the connector.

5. The attachment device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the target device has a locking mechanism, and its position relative to the connector is fixed by the locking mechanism before the data transmission process is executed, and the control device executes the data transmission process with the locking mechanism activated and the target device fixed to the connector, and in the re-data transmission process, cuts off the power supplied from the connector to the target device while the fixation by the locking mechanism is maintained, and then resumes the power supply and executes the data transmission via the connector.

6. An attachment device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connection target device is a feeder that supplies a supply member, the connection unit has a detachable feeder magazine, the feeder magazine can accommodate a plurality of the feeders and has a plurality of connectors to which each of the plurality of feeders can be connected, and the control device, in the data transmission process, acquires the data regarding the feeder from the feeder magazine connected to the connection unit via a connector to which the feeder is newly connected out of the plurality of connectors the feeder magazine has, and if the data cannot be acquired by the data transmission process, in the re-data transmission process, re-acquires the data via the connector to which the feeder is newly connected, and in the lifespan determination process, determines the lifespan of the connector to which the feeder is newly connected based on the history information of the re-data transmission process.

7. The mounting device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device is capable of executing a first lifespan determination mode and a second lifespan determination mode, and when the first lifespan determination mode is set, executes the data transmission process, the re-data transmission process, and the lifespan determination process, and when the second lifespan determination mode is set, executes the data transmission process, and when the total number of insertions and removals, which is the total number of times the connection target device has been inserted and removed into the connector, reaches or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, determines that the connector has reached the end of its lifespan.

8. A mounting system comprising: a mounting device; and a control device that manages the mounting device, wherein the mounting device has a connection section that can connect a target device via a connector, and performs a data transmission process that transmits data via the connection section between the mounting device and the target device connected to the connector, and a re-data transmission process that, if the data transmission fails in the data transmission process, transmits the data again via the connector, and the control device performs a lifespan determination process that determines the lifespan of the connector based on history information of the re-data transmission process.

9. The mounting system according to claim 8, wherein the connection target device is a feeder that supplies parts, the connection unit has a detachable feeder magazine, the feeder magazine can accommodate a plurality of the feeders and has a plurality of connectors that can connect each of the plurality of feeders, the mounting system comprises a plurality of the mounting devices and a transport robot that transports the feeder magazines between the plurality of the mounting devices, and each of the plurality of mounting devices, in the data transmission process, acquires the data related to the feeder from the feeder magazine connected to the connection unit via a connector to which the feeder is newly connected out of the plurality of connectors that the feeder magazine has, and if the data cannot be acquired by the data transmission process, in the re-data transmission process, re-acquires the data via the connector to which the feeder is newly connected, and the control device acquires information on the execution of the re-data transmission process from the plurality of the mounting devices and records it as the history information, and in the lifespan determination process, determines the lifespan of the connector to which the new feeder is connected based on the recorded history information.

10. A method for determining the lifespan of a connector using a connection unit that can connect a target device via a connector, comprising: a data transmission process for transmitting data via the connection unit between the target device connected to the connector; a data retransmission process for retransmitting the data via the connector if the data transmission process fails; and a lifespan determination process for determining the lifespan of the connector based on history information of the data retransmission process.

Images