JP2003271225A - Support system for cell producing worker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a support system for cell producing workers capable of contributing to improved productivity and working accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The support system comprises a manual database for storing an operation manual, a database for storing individual capacity data of workers, a specifying means for individual capacity data (S10) for specifying the individual capacity data corresponding to the specified workers from the database for storing the individual capacity data, and a manual developing speed control means (S16) for changing developing speeds of the operation manual output from the manual database in order of a working process. Accordingly, when worker's names are input (Y in S2) and working items are input (Y in S4), the operation manual of the selected working items is displayed on an output device at the developing speeds corresponding to individual capacities of workers. Thus, the system can contribute to the improved productivity and working accuracy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cell production worker support system used when performing a cell production work in which a work unit requiring a plurality of processes is handled by one person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a line production system has been known as a system for assembling a certain product. This line production system divides the work into a plurality of processes according to the order of a plurality of processes, arranges the production equipment and workers required for each process on the line, and the products worked in each process are It is a method of handing over to the process.

On the other hand, in recent years, as the number of product variations has increased, for a non-mass production model, a cell that takes charge of a work unit requiring a plurality of processes by one person instead of a line production system suitable for mass production. There is a tendency to switch to the production method. This cell production system has the advantage of being highly resistant to fluctuations in the number of products produced and having high efficiency in production organization, while, for example, in the case of assembly work, there are many parts to be assembled.
Highly skilled work is required. So, the work procedure,
There has been proposed a cell production worker support system for supporting workers by converting work procedures into manuals and outputting the work manuals to a display device or the like.
An example thereof is the invention described in JP 2001-242928 A.

[0004]

In the conventional cell production worker support system, the work manual is C in the order of the work procedure.
Since it is developed on a display device such as an RT, even a worker who does not know the work content at all can engage in the work. On the other hand, work ability including work speed and accuracy varies depending on the worker. For this reason, a worker with a high work capacity wastes time because there is a margin until the next work manual is output to the display device. On the other hand, for a worker with low ability, the next work manual may be developed before one work process is completed, which may cause confusion. In order to solve such a problem, if the development of the work manual is left to the operator's pace and the adjustment is made, the pace management is difficult because it has a great influence on the achievement of the production plan.

The present invention outputs a work manual at an optimal expansion speed according to the individual ability of each worker,
An object of the present invention is to provide a cell production worker support system capable of improving productivity and work accuracy.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A manual database that can store a work manual for each work item that is the work target of the cell production method, a work item input unit that selects and inputs the work item, and the work manual corresponding to the selected work item A manual output means for outputting to the output device from the manual database in the order of the procedure, a personal ability database in which personal ability data for each worker regarding work of the cell production system is stored, and engaged in work of a selected work item A worker identifying means for identifying a worker, a personal ability data designating means for designating the personal ability data corresponding to the identified worker from the personal ability database, and output from the manual database in order of work procedure. A machine that changes the deployment speed of the work manual according to the specified personal ability data. Comprising a Yuaru deployment speed control means.

Therefore, when the work item is input, the work manual output to the output device is selected, when the worker is specified, the personal ability data of the worker is designated, and the work manual is developed at a developing speed according to the personal ability data. Is output to the output device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the personal ability database stores personal ability data evaluated from the results of work training performed before the actual cell production work.

Therefore, the work manual is output at the expansion speed corresponding to the individual ability increased to a desired value through the work training.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the personal ability database stores personal ability data evaluated from work result results during actual cell production work.

Therefore, the individual ability is evaluated from the result of the work results in the actual cell production work.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the invention, the personal ability data is updated and stored at each evaluation.

Therefore, the work manual is output at a development speed corresponding to the individual ability, which is gradually updated with each evaluation.

The invention according to a fifth aspect is the first to the fourth aspects.
In any one of the inventions described above, there is provided production target output means for calculating a target relating to the productivity of the work on the basis of the personal ability data of the worker and outputting it to the output device.

Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically output the production target such as the number of units produced according to the individual ability.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In the invention described above, a small information processing terminal having the functions of the manual output means, the personal ability data designating means, and the manual expansion speed control means is provided, and the output device is connected to the small information processing terminal. Has been done.

Therefore, the output device can be attached to the worker himself / herself together with the small-sized information processing terminal, whereby the restriction of the worker's action range is alleviated.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the small-sized information processing terminal further includes the manual database and the personal ability database.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the sixth aspect.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the small-sized information processing terminal includes the work item input means and the worker identification means.

Therefore, it is possible to select the work item and specify the worker by the input operation of the worker himself without depending on the remote operation.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In the invention described in any one of the above items, a display device is used as the output device.

Therefore, it is possible to show the work manual to the worker as an image such as a still image, an illustration, or an animation.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, a spectacle type display is used as the output device.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the ninth aspect. Further, it is possible to show the work manual as an image only to the operator who paid attention.
Further, it becomes possible for the worker to see the image of the work manual with his face facing the target position of the work.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a speaker is used as the output device.

Therefore, it becomes possible for the operator to hear the work manual by voice.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, an earphone is used as the output device.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the eleventh aspect. Moreover, it becomes possible to make only the operator who paid attention listen to the work manual by voice.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of hardware of a cell production work system, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a cell production work area, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a work manual output process.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a control circuit. The control circuit 1 includes a ROM (not shown) in which fixed data such as a program is stored, a CPU that monitors the operation of each unit to execute and execute the program, and a RAM that stores work data in an updatable manner. This is the configuration of the microcomputer. The control circuit 1 has a function as work item input means for selecting and inputting a work item to be a target of cell production work, and a function as worker specifying means for specifying a worker engaged in the work of the selected work item. The operation panel 2 included therein is connected, and further, the display device 3 as an output device, the manual database 4, and the personal ability database 5 are connected. The manual database 4 is configured by storing a work manual for each work item in a storage medium, and the personal ability database 5 is formed by storing personal ability data of each worker engaged in cell production work in the storage medium. There is. Personal ability means, for example, work output, work speed per unit output,
For example, the continuity of the same work speed, the quality of work motion and posture, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the cell production work area in which the individual workers A and B are engaged, the indicator 3, the work table 6, tools and instrument devices (not shown) and parts necessary for the work are provided. A video camera 7 (not shown) for collecting the movements of the workers A and B and the progress of the work as image data is arranged.

Next, the work manual output process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the program is started, an operation guide is output to the display device 3 (S1). Specifically, the input of the worker name is displayed and guided. The operator name is input, for example, by inputting the operator code using the ten-key pad of the operation panel 2 or the like. When it is determined that the operator name is input (Y in S2), the next operation guide is output to the display device 3 (S3). Specifically, the input of work items is displayed and displayed. For example, the operation panel 2 is used to input work items.
It is done by inputting the work item code using the ten-key pad. When it is determined that the work item is input (Y in S4), the next operation guide is output to the display device 3 (S5). In this example, the input of the number m of the products manufactured by the cell production work is guided by the display. In this example, the production number m is input using the ten-key pad on the operation panel. When it is determined that the number of work m has been input (S6), the next operation guide is output to the display device 3 (S7).

In the present embodiment, when the work manual is output in the order of the work procedure, there is an "automatic setting" for automatically changing the developing speed of the work manual according to the personal ability data of the selected worker. Although given as an initial value, the operation guide in step S7 is output to prompt the user to select whether or not to cancel the "automatic setting". In this example, this selection is made by a key input on the operation panel 2. When it is determined that the "automatic setting" is maintained (Y of S8), a flag is set as a condition for executing the subsequent processing (S9), and the individual corresponding to the worker identified by the determination of step S2 Ability database for individual ability database 5
From the RAM using the RAM of the control circuit 1 (S1
0). This step S10 realizes individual ability data designating means. Then, it transfers to step S11. When it is determined in step S8 that the "automatic setting" has been canceled (N in S8), the previous flag state is checked, and when it is determined that the flag is set (Y in S12), the flag is set. Is cleared (S13), and the process proceeds to step S11. When it is determined in step S12 that the flag is not set (N in S12),
Control goes to step S11.

In step S11, all the work manuals of the selected work item are fetched by using the RAM of the control circuit 1 or the like, and the work manual of the i step is output from the RAM to the display 3 (S14). Here, step S1
1, S14 implement | achieve a manual output means.

Then, when the flag state is checked again and it is judged that the flag is set (Y in S15), i
It is determined whether or not a set time has elapsed since the work manual of the process was output (S16). This set time is a time set corresponding to the personal ability data. The calculation of the set time is performed by, for example, a method of multiplying the standard time set for ending the i step by a coefficient indicating the individual ability. When it is determined that the set time has elapsed (Y in S17), the work process number counter i is incremented to determine whether i = the set value (S19). Since i is the number of steps of the selected work item, when i is determined to be less than the set value (S1
9), and the processing from step S14 to step S19 is repeated. That is, the work manual for each process is output the number of times corresponding to the set value at the expansion speed according to the individual ability (work speed). Here, step S16 realizes a manual development speed control means for changing the development speed of the work manual in the order of the work procedure according to the specified personal ability data.

When it is determined in step S19 that i = the set value (Y in S19), the counter i for the number of work steps is cleared (S20). In this state, the production work for one cell has been completed, so the counter m for the number of works is incremented (S21), and it is determined whether or not m = the set value (S22). When it is determined that m is less than the set value (N in S22), the processes from step S14 to step S22 are repeated, and when it is determined that m = the set value (Y in S22), the counter m for the number of work is set. Clear (S23).

In the present embodiment, step S14
In step S15, after outputting the work manual for the i process, the state of the flag is checked (S15), and when it is determined that the flag is not set (N in S15), the process proceeds to step S18. In this step S18, it is determined whether or not the manual switching trigger is input, and when it is determined that it is input (Y in S18), the process proceeds to step S17. The input of the manual switching trigger in step S18 is
It is a signal that the work of the work manual shown at the present time is completed and it is possible to move to the work of the next process.
It can be obtained by operators A and B manually operating a switch or the like. Alternatively, when the positions and postures of the workers A and B change for each work process, the movements of the workers A and B can be detected by a sensor and the detection signal can be fetched as a manual switching trigger. Therefore, "automatic setting" is not selected (S
8), the flag is not set (S15)
N), and when the manual switching trigger is input at the operator priority timing (Y of S18), the process can be shifted to the next process. Therefore, even if the worker has personal ability data set, if he / she does not feel well on the day, he / she can select the “automatic setting” that automatically sets the deployment speed of the work manual, Work can be carried out at a work speed that gives priority to personnel.

In this embodiment, since the video cameras 7 for collecting the movements of the workers A and B when they actually work and the progress of the work are arranged as image data, the video cameras 7 are used. By analyzing and evaluating the collected image data, grasp the individual ability of each worker such as work output, work speed per unit production, sustainability of the same work speed, and work quality and posture. be able to. In this case, by storing the personal ability data evaluated from the work result results in the actual cell production work in the personal ability database 5 so as to be updatable, the development corresponding to the personal ability gradually updated due to the repetition of the work. The work manual can be output at a speed, which can contribute to the improvement of productivity in the upper right corner.

It is also possible to provide a production target output means (not shown) for automatically outputting the production target relating to the productivity of the work in accordance with the personal ability data thus grasped. As an output example of the production target, there is an example in which the standard production number m per unit time is multiplied by a coefficient indicating the individual ability to output the production number m, but the output is not limited to this.

As a method of constructing the manual database 4, 3D (3D) -CAD (Computer Aided D)
esign) can be used as an example. For example, in the case of an assembly work of a cell production work system, information on parts to be assembled is important. In this case, the shape of each part is
This is a method of outputting from D-CAD, importing this as three-dimensional Viewer data, and creating it as a work manual for assembly work by a work manual creating system. However, the work manual is not limited to the assembly work.

As described above, when the work item is input, the work manual output to the display unit 3 is selected, and when the worker is specified, the personal ability data of the worker is designated, and the development is performed according to the personal ability data. Since the work manual is output to the display device 3 at a speed, a constant work speed, that is, productivity can be maintained. Further, since the workers A and B can proceed with the work while looking at the work manual output on the display 3, the work accuracy can be maintained. The work manual output to the display unit 3 is
It may be a still image, an illustration, or an animation. In the case of animation, the speed of movement of one work may be changed according to the ability of the worker, or in the case of complicated work, it may be repeatedly displayed. When a speaker (not shown) is used as the output device, the work manual is output to the speaker by voice.

Recently, a wearable computer to be worn on the human body has been under development as a small information processing terminal. Therefore, the wearable computer that receives the output from the manual database 4 and the control of the manual expansion speed control means (corresponding to S16). It is also possible to use an output device such as a display or an earphone connected to the. In this case, since the output device can be attached to the worker himself / herself together with the wearable computer, restrictions on the worker's action range are alleviated. The wearable computer used here may include an operation panel 2 for selecting and inputting work items or workers, a manual database 4, a personal ability database 5, etc., or a manual database 4 and a personal ability database. 5 may not be provided. In the latter case, the data is transferred from the databases 4 and 5 provided in the host computer (not shown). Of course, the small information processing terminal is not limited to a wearable computer, but a PDA (Person)
al Digital Assistant) and the like can also be used.

When a glasses-type display is used as the output device, the work manual can be shown as an image only to the operator A or B who pays attention.
Can see the image of the work manual with the face facing the target position of the work.

Next, work training for workers will be described with reference to FIG. In the work training, the work manual is displayed on the display device 3 at a desired development speed, and the worker A is made to work based on the work manual, and the motion of the worker A at that time is collected by the video camera 7, By analyzing the collected data, unnatural movements are improved. As a result, the quality of the cell production work actually performed can be improved. Further, the personal ability data based on the improved movement of the worker A can be incorporated into the personal ability database 5. By doing so, the work manual can be output at a deployment speed corresponding to the individual ability that has been increased to a desired value by the work training. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to more stable productivity and improvement in work accuracy.

[0046]

According to the invention described in claim 1, in addition to the manual database in which the work manual for each work item is stored, the personal ability database in which the personal ability data of the worker is stored is provided, and the work procedure Since the development speed of the work manual output from the manual database to the output device in this order is changed according to the specified personal ability data, it is possible to contribute to improvement in productivity and work accuracy.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the personal ability database stores personal ability data evaluated from the work training results performed before the actual cell production work. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to more stable productivity and improvement in working accuracy.

According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1, the personal ability database stores updatable personal ability data evaluated from the work result results at the time of actual cell production work. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the individual ability based on the work result result during the actual cell production work.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 2 or 3, the personal ability data is updated and stored for each evaluation, which contributes to the improvement of productivity in the upper right direction. be able to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the output device calculates the target involved in the productivity of the work based on the individual ability data of the worker. Since the production target output means for outputting to the above is provided, it is possible to automatically output the production target such as the number of production units corresponding to the individual ability.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in claims 1 to 5, a small information processing terminal having the functions of a manual output means, a personal ability data designating means, and a manual expansion speed control means. Since the output device is connected to this small-sized information processing terminal, it becomes possible to attach the output device to the worker himself / herself together with the small-sized information processing terminal, which alleviates the restrictions on the worker's action range. To be done.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claim 6, the small-sized information processing terminal further comprises a manual database and a personal ability database, so that the same effect as in the case of claim 6 is obtained. It becomes possible to obtain.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the invention described in claim 6 or 7, the small-sized information processing terminal is provided with a work item input means and a worker identification means. In addition to being able to obtain the same effect as the case, it is also possible to select the work item and specify the worker by the input operation of the worker himself without depending on the remote operation.

According to the invention described in claim 9, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5, since the display device is used as the output device, the work manual is displayed as a still image, an illustration, an animation or the like. It can be shown to the worker as an image.

According to the invention of claim 10, claim 6 is provided.
In the invention described in any one of the items 1 to 8, since the eyeglass-type display device is used as the output device, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the case of claim 9. Further, only the operator who paid attention can see the operation manual, and further, the operator can see the image of the operation manual with his face facing the target position of the operation.

According to the invention of claim 11, claim 1
In the invention described in any one of 1 to 5, since the speaker is used as the output device, it is possible to let the operator hear the work manual by voice.

According to the invention of claim 12, claim 6 is provided.
In the invention according to any one of claims 8 to 8, since the earphone is used as the output device, the same effect as that in the case of claim 10 can be obtained, and the work manual is voiced only to the operator who pays attention. Can be heard.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of hardware of a cell production work system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a cell production work area.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a work manual output process.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of work training for a worker.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Work item input means, worker identification means 3 Output device, display 4 Manual database 5 personal ability database S10 Individual ability data designation means S11, S14 Manual output means S16 Manual development speed control means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor, Seiichi Kamiishi             3 Shinmei-do, Nakameisei, Shibata-cho, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture             Address No. 1 Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Endo             3 Shinmei-do, Nakameisei, Shibata-cho, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture             Address No. 1 Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiya Numata             3 Shinmei-do, Nakameisei, Shibata-cho, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture             Address No. 1 Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3C100 AA65 BB17

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A manual database capable of storing a work manual for each work item to be a work target of the cell production system, work item inputting means for selecting and inputting the work item, and corresponding to the selected work item. Manual output means for outputting the work manual from the manual database to an output device in the order of work procedures, a personal ability database in which personal ability data for each worker regarding work of a cell production system is stored, and a selected work item Worker specifying means for specifying a worker engaged in the work, personal ability data specifying means for specifying the personal ability data corresponding to the specified worker from the personal ability database, and the manual in the order of a work procedure. The development speed of the work manual output from the database is stored in the specified personal ability data. A cell production worker support system including a manual expansion speed control unit that is changed according to the above. 2. The cell production worker support system according to claim 1, wherein the personal ability database stores personal ability data evaluated from work training results performed before actual cell production work. 3. The cell production worker support system according to claim 1, wherein the personal ability database stores personal ability data evaluated from work performance results during actual cell production work. 4. The cell production worker support system according to claim 2, wherein the personal ability data is updated and stored at each evaluation. 5. The production target output means according to claim 1, further comprising a production target output means for calculating a target relating to work productivity based on the individual ability data of the worker and outputting the calculated target to the output device. Cell production worker support system. 6. A small information processing terminal having the functions of the manual output means, the personal ability data designating means, and the manual expansion speed control means, and the output device is connected to the small information processing terminal. Claim 1
6. A cell production worker support system according to any one of 1 to 5. 7. The cell production worker support system according to claim 6, wherein the small-sized information processing terminal further comprises the manual database and the personal ability database. 8. The cell production worker support system according to claim 6, wherein the small-sized information processing terminal includes the work item input means and the worker identification means. 9. The cell production worker support system according to claim 1, wherein a display is used as the output device. 10. The cell production worker support system according to claim 6, wherein a spectacle type display is used as the output device. 11. The cell production worker support system according to claim 1, wherein a speaker is used as the output device. 12. The cell production worker support system according to claim 6, wherein an earphone is used as the output device.