Data reading system and facility maintenance management system

Abstract

The present invention efficiently reads data stored in RFID tags of a plurality of packing boxes. This data reading system comprises: a non-metal packing box that can store a metal product; an RFID tag that is provided inside the packing box and stores data pertaining to the metal product; and a data acquisition device that acquires data from the RFID tag. The packing box has adjacent surface parts adjacent to other packing boxes and side surface parts other than the adjacent surface parts. The RFID tag is provided between the metal product stored in the packing box and the side surface part.

Description

Data reading system and equipment maintenance management system

[0001] The present invention relates to a data reading system and a facility maintenance management system.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technology for managing products using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. For example, in Patent Document 1, a wireless tag is attached to the outer surface of a packaging box, and data is read via radio waves.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-143259

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, products can be managed by reading data stored in a wireless tag attached to the outer surface of a packaging box. However, when there are multiple packaging boxes, there is room for improvement in efficiently reading the data stored in the wireless tag of each packaging box.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and its object is to provide a data reading system and an equipment maintenance management system that can efficiently read data stored in wireless tags on multiple packaging boxes.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, a data reading system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a data reading system including a non-metallic packaging box capable of containing metal products, a wireless tag provided inside the packaging box and storing data related to the metal products, and a data acquisition device that acquires data from the wireless tag, wherein the packaging box has an adjacent surface portion adjacent to other packaging boxes and a side surface portion other than the adjacent surface portion, and the wireless tag is provided between the metal products contained in the packaging box and the side surface portion.

[0007] It is preferable that the side portion includes a movable side portion that can be opened and closed, and the packaging box can take the metal product in and out of the interior of the packaging box by opening and closing the movable side portion, and the wireless tag is provided between the metal product contained in the packaging box and the movable side portion.

[0008] The wireless tag is preferably provided on the inner surface of the movable side portion.

[0009] It is preferable that the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tag in a state in which the multiple packaging boxes containing the metal products are placed adjacent to each other so that the movable side portions of the multiple packaging boxes face in the same direction.

[0010] When the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags of multiple packaging boxes, it is preferable that the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags while being positioned opposite the movable side portion, facing in the same direction.

[0011] It is preferable that the wireless tag transmits the data by using the metal product housed inside the packaging box as an antenna.

[0012] The wireless tag may be detachable from the packaging box, and the detached wireless tag may be attached to equipment to which the metal product is attached, thereby enabling the tag to be used for the maintenance and management of the equipment.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, data stored in the wireless tags of multiple packaging boxes can be read efficiently.

[0014] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a data reading system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another data reading system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a packaging box. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a wireless tag. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure for providing a wireless tag and a metal product in a packaging box. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a case where multiple packaging boxes are stacked. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where six packaging boxes are stacked. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the range of antenna directionality of a wireless tag. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example operation of the data reading system. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of equipment that is a maintenance management target of an equipment maintenance management system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a mechanical part in FIG. 9.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments or modifications, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in other embodiments or modifications will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be simplified or omitted. The present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment or modification. Furthermore, the components of each embodiment or modification include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same. The configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. Omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made within the scope of the invention.

[0016] (First embodiment) Fig. 1A is a diagram showing a data reading system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 1A, the data reading system 100 includes a wireless tag 10, a tag reader device 20, and an information management device 30. The wireless tag 10 is provided under security management by the data reading system 100. The tag reader device 20 can acquire data from the wireless tag 10. The tag reader device 20 can also write data to the wireless tag 10. The tag reader device 20 corresponds to the data acquisition device of the present disclosure.

[0017] (Wireless Tag) The wireless tag 10 includes an antenna 11, a control unit 13, and a power supply unit 14. The control unit 13 includes a communication unit 131 and a memory unit 132. The wireless tag 10 is, for example, an RFID tag. The wireless tag 10 is provided inside a packaging box 1. The packaging box 1 is a box for packaging a metal product 2. The wireless tag 10 and the metal product 2 are provided inside the packaging box 1. In the case of Fig. 1A, the wireless tag 10 and the metal product 2 are contained inside the packaging box 1 so that the back surface 145b of the main body of the wireless tag 10 is located close to the metal product 2 and the front surface 145a of the main body is located far from the metal product 2 (opposite side).

[0018] The antenna 11 is a transmitting and receiving antenna. That is, the antenna 11 functions as both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. For example, the inverted F antenna structure described in Japanese Patent No. 4990858 can be applied to the antenna 11. In this case, the antenna 11 can communicate even when a metal product 2 is nearby.

[0019] The communication unit 131 can receive data wirelessly via the antenna 11. The communication unit 131 can transmit data wirelessly via the antenna 11.

[0020] The storage unit 132 stores identification information 1320 for identifying the wireless tag 10. The data stored in the storage unit 132 can be read out.

[0021] The power supply unit 14 supplies power to each unit in the wireless tag 10. The power supply unit 14 is, for example, a primary battery. Because power is supplied from the power supply unit 14, the wireless tag 10 can operate the communication unit 131 and can write and read data to and from the memory unit 132.

[0022] When a data read signal is transmitted from tag reader device 20, wireless tag 10 reads the data stored in memory unit 132 and transmits it to tag reader device 20. At this time, communication unit 131 of wireless tag 10 transmits identification information to tag reader device 20.

[0023] (Tag Reader Device) The tag reader device 20 includes an antenna 21 , a control unit 22 , and a power supply unit 23 .

[0024] The antenna 21 is a transmitting and receiving antenna, i.e., the antenna 21 functions as both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna.

[0025] The control unit 22 has a communication unit 221, a storage unit 222, a reading unit 223, and a writing unit 224. The communication unit 221 can wirelessly transmit and receive data to and from the wireless tag 10 via the antenna 21. The communication unit 221 can also transmit and receive data to and from the information management device 30 via the network NW. The tag reader device 20 can transmit identification information of the wireless tag 10 to the information management device 30.

[0026] The storage unit 222 stores data acquired by the communication unit 221. The storage unit 222 stores identification information acquired by the communication unit 221. The storage unit 222 also stores various data necessary for the operation of the tag reader device 20.

[0027] The reading unit 223 can receive data transmitted from the wireless tag 10 using the antenna 21 and the communication unit 221, and can read data stored in the wireless tag 10. This allows the tag reader device 20 to acquire data from the wireless tag 10.

[0028] The reading unit 223 can simultaneously perform wireless communication with a plurality of wireless tags 10 and can simultaneously acquire identification information from a plurality of wireless tags 10. Therefore, the tag reader device 20 can acquire the identification information from a plurality of wireless tags 10 in a relatively short time. The tag reader device 20 transmits the identification information to the information management device 30.

[0029] The writing unit 224 can transmit data to the wireless tag 10 using the antenna 21 and the communication unit 221. This allows the tag reader device 20 to write data to the wireless tag 10.

[0030] The power supply unit 23 supplies power to each unit in the tag reader device 20. The power supply unit 23 is, for example, a primary battery.

[0031] (Information Management Device) The information management device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, and a power supply unit 34. The communication unit 31 can transmit and receive data to and from the tag reader device 20 via the network NW. The information management device 30 may be provided near the tag reader device 20 or in a remote location.

[0032] The memory unit 32 stores data acquired by the tag reader device 20 from the wireless tag 10. The memory unit 32 corresponds to the acquired data memory unit in this disclosure. The control unit 33 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input interface, and an output interface (not shown). The CPU, ROM, and RAM are connected via an internal bus (not shown). The ROM stores programs such as a BIOS. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area and executes programs stored in the ROM or the memory unit 32 to realize various functions. The control unit 33 can perform editing, such as classification and rearrangement, of the data stored in the memory unit 32. The power supply unit 34 supplies power to each component of the information management device 30.

[0033] 1A, the antenna 11 in the wireless tag 10 is provided at a position away from the metal product 2. The antenna 11 and the metal product 2 may be arranged close to each other, rather than being far apart.

[0034] 1B is a diagram showing another data reading system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the case of Fig. 1B, the wireless tag 10' and the metal product 2 are contained in the packaging box 1 so that the main body surface 145a of the wireless tag 10' is located close to the metal product 2 and the main body surface 145b is located farther from the metal product 2 (opposite side).

[0035] In FIG. 1B, the data reading system 100' has a wireless tag 10'. The wireless tag 10' is provided under security management by the data reading system 100'. The antenna 11 of the wireless tag 10' is provided near the metal product 2. By providing the antenna 11 near the metal product 2, the radio waves emitted from the antenna 11 are diffracted to the back side of the metal product 2 and reflected by the metal product 2. Reflection of the radio waves emitted from the antenna 11 by the metal product 2 may potentially expand the range of the radio waves. Therefore, the tag reader device 20 can receive radio waves from the wireless tag 10'. The following description applies to both the cases of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

[0036] (Packing Box) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the packing box 1. The packing box 1 is a box made of a non-metal material such as paper. The packing box 1 can accommodate a metal product 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the metal product 2 is accommodated inside the packing box 1. In this example, the metal product 2 is a bearing. A wireless tag 10 is provided on the inner surface of the packing box 1. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tag 10 is provided on the inner surface of the side surface 1sf of the packing box 1. The wireless tag 10 is provided on the inner surface of the side surface 1sf so that the main body surface 145a of the wireless tag 10 faces the X-axis direction. In this way, the wireless tag 10 is provided near the metal product 2 inside the packing box 1. The identification information 1320 (see FIG. 1A ) stored in the memory unit 132 of the wireless tag 10 also serves as information for identifying the metal product 2.

[0037] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the wireless tag 10. The exterior of the wireless tag 10 is made by, for example, resin molding. By using resin molding, the wireless tag 10 can withstand adverse environments such as being affected by wind and rain.

[0038] The wireless tag 10 shown in Fig. 3 has a main body 140 and through-holes 141 and 142 provided at both ends thereof. The main body 140 is provided with the components shown in Fig. 1A. By providing screw holes in the object to which the wireless tag 10 is to be attached, the wireless tag 10 can be screwed to the object using the through-holes 141 and 142. By fastening the wireless tag 10 to the object with screws, the temperature of the object can be detected.

[0039] Furthermore, protrusions 143a, 143b, 144a, and 144b are provided at four corners of the wireless tag 10 shown in FIG. The protrusions 143a, 143b, 144a, and 144b protrude in the Z-axis direction. The main body 140 also protrudes in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, recesses 143 are formed between the main body 140 and the protrusions 143a and 143b. Recesses 144 are formed between the main body 140 and the protrusions 144a and 144b. The wireless tag 10 can be secured to an object by wrapping and fastening a fastener (not shown) such as a cable tie around the fixed shaft 41 and the recess 143, and then around the object and the recess 144. By securing the wireless tag 10 to the object, the temperature of the object can be detected. Note that the wireless tag 10 may be secured to the object using double-sided tape or adhesive tape instead of or in addition to the fastener.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the procedure for placing the wireless tag 10 and the metal product 2 in the packaging box 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the packaging box 1 includes an upper surface portion 1um having areas in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, a lower surface portion 1dm that faces the upper surface portion 1um in the Z-axis direction, a side surface portion 1sf provided on the front surface in the X-axis direction in the figure, and three other side surface portions 1sm. The upper side (Z-axis side) of each side surface portion 1sm is connected to the upper surface portion 1um, and the lower edge 1fd of each side surface portion 1sm is connected to the lower surface portion 1dm. The upper side (Z-axis side) of each side surface portion 1sf is connected to the upper surface portion 1um. The side surface portion 1sf can be moved in the direction of arrow Ya to open and close. That is, the lower edge 1fd of the side surface portion 1sf can be moved away from or toward the lower surface portion 1dm. The side surface portion 1sf corresponds to the movable side surface portion of this disclosure.

[0041] By providing the wireless tag 10 and the metal product 2, such as a bearing device, inside the packaging box 1, the wireless tag 10, which records the history of the metal product 2, can be transported together in the packaging box 1. Therefore, the metal product 2 and the wireless tag 10 do not need to be transported separately, and the history and presence or absence of abnormalities of the metal product 2 can be managed. Furthermore, attaching the wireless tag 10 inside the packaging box 1 allows safer transportation while protecting the wireless tag 10, rather than attaching it to the outside of the packaging box 1.

[0042] When the bottom edge 1fd of the side surface portion 1sf is moved away from the bottom surface portion 1dm, the side surface portion 1sf opens as shown in Figure 4. With the side surface portion 1sf open, metal products 2 can be stored. That is, as indicated by arrow Yb, metal products 2 can be stored in the interior 1in of the packaging box 1. Furthermore, metal products 2 stored in the interior 1in of the packaging box 1 can be removed in the direction opposite to arrow Yb. In other words, by opening and closing the side surface portion 1sf, metal products 2 can be put in and taken out of the interior 1in of the packaging box 1.

[0043] Furthermore, a wireless tag 10 can be provided on the surface of the side surface portion 1sf facing the interior 1in. For example, the wireless tag 10 can be attached to the surface of the side surface portion 1sf facing the interior 1in using double-sided tape or the like. By providing the wireless tag 10 on the surface of the side surface portion 1sf facing the interior 1in, storing the metal product 2 in the interior 1in of the packaging box 1, and then closing the side surface portion 1sf, the state shown in FIG. 2 is achieved. To maintain the state shown in FIG. 2, the bottom edge 1fd and the bottom surface portion 1dm of the side surface portion 1sf may be fastened together with adhesive or adhesive tape. To clearly indicate that the wireless tag 10 is attached to the surface of the side surface portion 1sf facing the interior 1in, a mark may be provided on the outside of the side surface portion 1sf, i.e., on the outer surface of the packaging box 1. The mark may be a trademark of the manufacturer of the metal product 2.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, a packing box 1 containing metal products 2 can be stacked on top of other packing boxes in sequence. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the case where multiple packing boxes are stacked. FIG. 5 shows the case where six boxes, from packing box 1a to packing box 1f, are stacked in the Z-axis direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, packing boxes 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f contain metal products 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2f. Wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f are provided inside packing boxes 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f. In FIG. 5, packing box 1b is placed on top of packing box 1a as indicated by arrow Y11, and then packing box 1c is placed on top of packing box 1b as indicated by arrow Y12. Furthermore, as shown by arrow Y13, packing box 1d is placed on top of packing box 1c, as shown by arrow Y14, packing box 1e is placed on top of packing box 1d, and as shown by arrow Y15, packing box 1f is placed on top of packing box 1e.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing six packing boxes 1a to 1f stacked one on top of the other. The packing boxes 1a to 1f are stacked adjacent to one another in the state shown in FIG. The wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f inside the packing boxes 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f containing metal products 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2f are facing the same direction. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the top surface 1um or bottom surface 1dm (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of each packing box is an adjacent surface adjacent to another packing box. That is, each packing box 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f has an adjacent surface adjacent to another packing box and a side surface other than the adjacent surface.

[0046] When multiple wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f are facing the same direction, tag reader device 20 can collectively acquire the identification information stored in each of the multiple wireless tags. In other words, when tag reader device 20 acquires data from wireless tags 10 in multiple packaging boxes, tag reader device 20 can efficiently acquire data from multiple wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f by placing tag reader device 20 in a position facing the side surface 1sf, which faces the same direction. In this way, when the side surface 1sf is facing the same direction, tag reader device 20 can efficiently acquire data from multiple wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f. Therefore, packaging boxes may be placed adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction with their side surfaces facing downward in FIG. 6 .

[0047] 7 is a diagram illustrating the range of antenna directivity of a wireless tag, showing a wireless tag 10a as a representative of a plurality of wireless tags.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the internal arrangement of the packaging box 1a. As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless tag 10a is provided between the metal product 2a contained in the packaging box 1a and the side surface 1sf. The wireless tag 10a transmits data by using the metal product 2a contained in the same packaging box 1a as an antenna. In this case, the range indicated by the dashed line H in FIG. 7 is the range of antenna directivity. The distance D in FIG. 7 is the maximum distance over which data can be received from the wireless tag 10a. Similarly, wireless tags other than the wireless tag 10a also transmit data by using the metal product contained in the same packaging box as an antenna. By transmitting data using the metal product as an antenna, the distance D over which data can be received can be made relatively long, allowing the tag reader device 20 to acquire data efficiently.

[0049] 1A , the identification information acquired from each wireless tag 10 is stored in the storage unit 222 and then sent to the information management device 30 via the network NW. The information management device 30 stores the identification information in the storage unit 32. The control unit 33 can perform editing, such as classification and rearrangement, on the data stored in the storage unit 32.

[0050] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the data reading system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] 8, steps S101 to S103 show an example of the operation of the wireless tag 10, steps S201 to S204 show an example of the operation of the tag reader device 20, and steps S301 to S302 show an example of the operation of the information management device 30.

[0052] 8, when a data read signal is transmitted from tag reader device 20 to wireless tag 10 (step S201), wireless tag 10 receives the read signal (step S101). Wireless tag 10 then reads the identification information stored in memory unit 132 (step S102). Wireless tag 10 transmits the identification information (step S103), and tag reader device 20 receives it (step S202).

[0053] The tag reader device 20 stores the received identification information in the storage unit 222 (step S203). The tag reader device 20 then transmits the identification information (step S204), and the information management device 30 receives it (step S301). The information management device 30 stores the received identification information in the storage unit 32 (step S302). Through the above process, the information management device 30 can acquire the identification information and perform editing, such as classification and rearrangement, on the data stored in the storage unit 32. By utilizing the data stored in the storage unit 32, it is possible to manage the inventory quantity of metal products before delivery and the history of delivered metal products. By using the identification information of the wireless tag 10 attached to the packaging box 1 used in the data reading system 100, it is possible to manage the inventory quantity and storage location of metal products after delivery.

[0054] Note that identification information may be written to the wireless tags of multiple packaging boxes facing the same direction as shown in Fig. 6. In this case, writing to storage unit 132 can be performed in step S102 of Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 6, multiple packaging boxes are placed adjacent to each other so that the side surfaces on which the wireless tags are provided face in the same direction, and then tag reader device 20 writes identification information to the wireless tags. This allows efficient writing to multiple wireless tags.

[0055] Second Embodiment The wireless tag 10 attached to the packaging box 1 used in the data reading system 100 can be removed from the packaging box 1. The wireless tag 10 removed from the packaging box 1 can be attached to equipment to which metal products are attached and reused for maintaining and managing the equipment. In other words, by attaching the removed wireless tag to equipment to which metal products are attached, an equipment maintenance management system can be realized for maintaining and managing the equipment. For example, by attaching the wireless tag 10 removed from the packaging box 1 near a bearing, the maintenance history and operation history of the bearing can be managed. In other words, it can be managed which part of which equipment started operation and when.

[0056] (Example of Maintenance Management Object) Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of equipment that is a maintenance management object of the equipment maintenance management system 100a. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a mechanical device 200 that is a maintenance management object of the equipment maintenance management system 100a. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a mechanical component 40 in Fig. 9.

[0057] 9, the machine 200 is, for example, a roller conveyor that conveys industrial products (not shown) along a conveying direction. The machine 200 includes a pair of support bases 70 and a plurality of roller devices 60. In this embodiment, the number of roller devices 60 is 10, but is not limited to this number.

[0058] The pair of support bases 70 support a plurality of roller devices. The pair of support bases 70 are rectangular parallelepiped shapes that extend in the direction of arrow Yd, which is the conveying direction of industrial products.

[0059] The roller device 60 includes a roller member 50, a pair of mechanical components 40, and a shaft member 41. The mechanical components 40 are the subject of maintenance management in the present disclosure. The shaft member 41 has a cylindrical shape extending along a central axis.

[0060] The roller member 50 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed on the circumferential surface of the shaft member 41, and rotates integrally with the shaft member 41. Both ends of the shaft member 41 are exposed from the roller member 50.

[0061] The pair of mechanical components 40 rotatably support the roller member 50. Specifically, the pair of mechanical components 40 support both ends of the shaft member 50 so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The mechanical components 40 are, for example, plummer blocks.

[0062] 9, tag reader device 20 is provided near mechanical device 200. Tag reader device 20 is provided in a position where it can transmit and receive signals to and from wireless tag 10. Tag reader device 20 is fixed to, for example, the ceiling, wall, or pillar of the room in which mechanical device 200 is installed.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 10 , the mechanical component 40 has a bearing 42 and holes 44a and 44b. An end of a shaft member 41 of a roller member 50 is inserted into a through hole 43 of the bearing 42. The bearing 42 rotatably supports the shaft member 41. The mechanical component 40 is fixed to a support base 70 (see Fig. 9 ) by, for example, bolts (not shown). The bolts (not shown) pass through, for example, the holes 44a and 44b and are inserted into screw holes in the support base 70.

[0064] Further, the mechanical component 40 is provided with a wireless tag 10. The wireless tag 10 is provided, for example, below the bearing 42. The wireless tag 10 is attached to the surface of the mechanical component 40 with, for example, adhesive tape or double-sided tape. The wireless tag 10 transmits identification information 1320 stored in a memory unit 132 within the wireless tag 10 to the tag reader device 20. The tag reader device 20 may transmit the received identification information 1320 to the information management device 30.

[0065] In the example shown in FIG. 9 , one tag reader device 20 is provided for one mechanical device 200. One mechanical device 200 has ten roller members 50, and a wireless tag 10 is attached to each of a total of 20 mechanical components 40, which are provided at both ends of each roller member 50. In this example, all of the wireless tags 10 of the 20 mechanical components 40 are provided within the communication range of the tag reader device 20. Therefore, the tag reader device 20 can acquire identification information from each of the 20 wireless tags 10 attached to the 20 mechanical components 40. By editing the acquired identification information, such as by classifying and sorting, the mechanical device 200 including the mechanical components 40 can be maintained and managed. For example, the information management device 30 may edit the acquired identification information 1320, such as by classifying and sorting.

[0066] It is also possible to provide a wireless tag 10 on one of the mechanical components 40 at both ends of the roller member 50, and not provide a wireless tag 10 on the other mechanical component 40. Wireless tags 10 may be provided on only some of the multiple mechanical components 40 provided in the mechanical device 200, and these may be subject to maintenance management.

[0067] Third Embodiment In the equipment maintenance management system 100a, the wireless tag 10 may be provided with a temperature sensor function. By providing a temperature sensor in the mechanical component 40, temperature information of the mechanical component 40 can be acquired. By periodically acquiring the maintenance history and temperature information of the mechanical component 40, temperature changes of the mechanical component 40 can be monitored. For example, by providing a wireless tag with a temperature sensor function near the bearing 42 shown in FIG. 10, the bearing 42 can be monitored. If the temperature of the bearing 42 reaches an abnormal value, a malfunction of the bearing 42 can be detected in advance, and the timing of maintenance can be set appropriately.

[0068] The temperature sensor of each wireless tag 10 detects the temperature, for example, at a predetermined cycle. For example, the temperature sensor detects the temperature once a day at a set time. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature at predetermined intervals. For example, the temperature sensor may detect the temperature every hour, every 30 minutes, every minute, or every 30 seconds.

[0069] It is preferable that the temperature data be stored in the memory unit 132 of the wireless tag 10 and transmitted in association with the identification information. The identification information and temperature data may be transmitted to the tag reader device 20 each time the wireless tag 10 detects a temperature, or may be transmitted collectively to the tag reader device 20 when the amount of data stored in the memory unit 132 of the wireless tag 10 reaches a predetermined amount. In the former case, the monitoring process can be performed more quickly. In the latter case, transmitting the data collectively can reduce consumption of the power supply unit 14. As described above, the monitoring system can obtain temperature data for each monitoring target identified by the obtained identification information and monitor for abnormalities in the temperature data.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 10, a mechanical component 40 equipped with a wireless tag 10 can also be housed in a packing box 1, as described with reference to Fig. 4 and other figures. By housing the mechanical component 40 in a packing box 1, the mechanical component 40 and the wireless tag 10 do not need to be transported separately. In addition, the history of the mechanical component 40 and the presence or absence of abnormalities can also be managed. The mechanical component 40 can be transported safely while protecting the wireless tag 10.

[0071] (Summary) According to the data reading system 100 or the facility maintenance management system 100a described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0072] A single system can be used for both shipping and delivery management of equipment such as bearings (hereinafter referred to as bearing equipment). That is, inventory management, incoming and outgoing management, product tracing, etc. can be performed by a single data reading system 100 or facility maintenance management system 100a. For example, the following (a) is possible: (a) By attaching a wireless tag 10 including a temperature sensor and a vibration sensor to bearing equipment, etc., inventory management, incoming and outgoing management, product tracing, etc. at the customer's site for the bearing equipment are possible.

[0073] Specific examples of the above (a) are as follows: (a-1) Traceability is necessary for inventory management of bearing equipment, inventory management, and product tracing during transportation.

[0074] (a-2) Traceability includes information specific to the rolling bearing, items obtained through inspections after processing and recorded in the inspection report attached to each type of rolling bearing, as well as the processing conditions and processing amount (cutting dimensions) of each component part. Information specific to the rolling bearing includes, for example, outer dimensions, internal clearance, runout (amount of eccentricity), surface roughness, etc.

[0075] (a-3) The above-mentioned bearing-specific information may change due to temperature changes, shocks, and the like when the bearing equipment is in stock, when it is delivered or when it is being transported. For example, the external dimensions may change, or the internal gaps may change. For this reason, as described with reference to FIG. 2 or FIG. 10, a wireless tag 10 including a temperature sensor may be attached to the bearing equipment. It is also possible to attach a wireless tag 10 including an acceleration sensor. This allows the tag reader device 20 to read the temperature, vibration, and other information of the bearing equipment.

[0076] Furthermore, a wireless tag 10 including a temperature sensor and a vibration sensor can be attached to the bearing equipment to measure the temperature and vibration of the bearing equipment. As described with reference to Fig. 2 or 10, this makes it possible to attach the wireless tag 10 and read the temperature, vibration, etc. of the bearing equipment using a tag reader device 20. This makes it possible to confirm that the bearing equipment has been stored within appropriate temperature and vibration ranges and that there has been no excessive temperature change or impact during transportation, etc.

[0077] (a-4) If the bearing equipment experiences excessive temperature changes or excessive shock, it can be inferred by temperature sensors and vibration sensors that there is some kind of abnormality in the bearing equipment. Therefore, by reading the temperature data of the bearing equipment received from the tag reader device 20, it is possible to check whether there is an abnormality in the bearing equipment before operating the bearing equipment. Therefore, the bearing equipment can be operated without any abnormalities.

[0078] With respect to the recitation of the claims, the present disclosure may take the following forms. (1) A data reading system including a non-metallic packaging box capable of containing metal products, a wireless tag provided inside the packaging box and storing data related to the metal products, and a data acquisition device for acquiring data from the wireless tag, wherein the packaging box has an adjacent surface portion adjacent to another packaging box and a side surface other than the adjacent surface portion, and the wireless tag is provided between the metal products contained in the packaging box and the side surface. (2) The side surface includes a movable side surface portion that can be opened and closed, the packaging box allows the metal products to be placed in and removed from the interior of the packaging box by opening and closing the movable side surface portion, and the wireless tag is provided between the metal products contained in the packaging box and the movable side surface. (3) The data reading system according to (2), wherein the wireless tag is provided on the inner surface of the movable side surface. (4) The data reading system according to (2) or (3), wherein the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags in a state in which a plurality of the packaging boxes containing the metal products are placed adjacent to one another so that the movable side portions of the packaging boxes face the same direction. (5) The data reading system according to (4), wherein, when the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags of a plurality of the packaging boxes, the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags in a state in which the data acquisition device is placed in a position facing the movable side portions facing the same direction. (6) The data reading system according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the wireless tag transmits the data by using the metal products contained inside the packaging box as an antenna. (7) An equipment maintenance management system, wherein the wireless tag of the data reading system according to any one of (1) to (5) can be removed from the packaging box, and the removed wireless tag is installed in equipment to which the metal products are attached, so as to be used for the maintenance and management of the equipment.

[0079] 1, 1a to 1f Packing box 1dm Bottom surface 1fd Bottom edge 1in Inside 1sf, 1sm Side surface 1um Top surface 2, 2a to 2f Metal product 10, 10', 10a to 10f Wireless tag 11, 21, 33 Antenna 13, 22 Control unit 14, 23, 34 Power supply unit 20 Tag reader device 30 Information management device 31, 131, 221 Communication unit 32, 132, 222 Memory unit 40 Machine part 41 Shaft member 42 Bearing 50 Roller member 70 Support base 100, 100' Data reading system 100a Equipment maintenance management system 145a Main body surface 145b Main body back surface 200 Machine device 223 Reading unit 224 Writing unit 1320 Identification Information

Claims

1. A data reading system including: a non-metallic packaging box capable of containing metal products; a wireless tag provided inside the packaging box and storing data relating to the metal products; and a data acquisition device for acquiring data from the wireless tag, wherein the packaging box has an adjacent surface portion adjacent to another packaging box and a side surface portion other than the adjacent surface portion, and the wireless tag is provided between the metal products contained in the packaging box and the side surface portion.

2. The data reading system according to claim 1, wherein the side portion includes a movable side portion that can be opened and closed, the packaging box allows the metal product to be placed in and removed from the interior of the packaging box by opening and closing the movable side portion, and the wireless tag is provided between the metal product contained in the packaging box and the movable side portion.

3. The data reading system according to claim 2, wherein the wireless tag is provided on the inner surface of the movable side portion.

4. A data reading system as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tag in a state in which a plurality of packaging boxes containing the metal products are placed adjacent to each other so that the movable side portions of the packaging boxes face the same direction.

5. The data reading system of claim 4, wherein when the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags of multiple packaging boxes, the data acquisition device acquires data from the wireless tags while being positioned opposite the movable side portion and facing in the same direction.

6. A data reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wireless tag transmits the data by using the metal product contained inside the packaging box as an antenna.

7. An equipment maintenance management system in which the wireless tag of the data reading system described in any one of claims 1 to 3 can be removed from the packaging box, and the removed wireless tag can be installed in equipment to which the metal product is attached, thereby being used for the maintenance and management of the equipment.

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