阅读说明：本技术 作业辅助装置及作业辅助系统 (Work support device and work support system ) 是由 青木敦子 炭崎龙平 于 2019-04-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：自动地应用有效地减小由于作业而作业者所承受的负担的改善对策。作业辅助装置具有作业负担度评价部、改善对策存储部、仿真部及改善对策决定部。作业负担度评价部根据作业者信息及生产设备信息,对作业负担度进行评价,该作业负担度表示由于作业而作业者所承受的负担的程度。作业者信息是关于与生产设备协同动作而进行作业的作业者的信息。生产设备信息是与生产设备相关的信息。改善对策存储部对用于改善作业负担度的改善对策进行存储。仿真部进行对推定改善效果进行推定的仿真,该推定改善效果表示应用了改善对策的情况下作业负担度的改善程度。改善对策决定部基于推定改善效果,从改善对策决定应用于作业者及生产设备中的至少一者的应用改善对策。(An improvement measure is automatically applied that effectively reduces the burden on the operator due to the work. The work support device includes a work load evaluation unit, an improvement measure storage unit, a simulation unit, and an improvement measure determination unit. The work load degree evaluation unit evaluates a work load degree indicating a degree of load on the operator due to the work, based on the operator information and the production facility information. The worker information is information on a worker who performs work in cooperation with the production facility. The production apparatus information is information related to the production apparatus. The improvement-countermeasure storage unit stores improvement countermeasures for improving the workload. The simulation unit performs simulation for estimating an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload level when the improvement measure is applied. The improvement-countermeasure determining unit determines, from the improvement countermeasures, an application improvement countermeasure to be applied to at least one of the operator and the production facility, based on the estimated improvement effect.)

1. A work assisting device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) is provided with:

a workload evaluation unit (105) that evaluates a workload indicating the degree of load on the worker (131) due to the work, based on worker information regarding the worker (131) who performs the work in cooperation with the production facility (132) and production facility information (181) regarding the production facility (132);

an improvement countermeasure storage unit (106) that stores improvement countermeasures (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174) for improving the workload;

a simulation unit (107) that performs simulation for estimating an estimated improvement effect (192), the estimated improvement effect (192) indicating a degree of improvement in the workload when the improvement measure (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174) is applied; and

and an improvement measure determination unit (108) that determines, based on the estimated improvement effect (192), an application improvement measure to be applied to at least one of the operator (131) and the production facility (132) from among the improvement measures (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174).

2. The work assist device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 1,

the improvement measures (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174) include an improvement measure accompanying the introduction of a new device and an improvement measure not accompanying the introduction of the new device,

the simulation estimates an estimated improvement effect indicating a degree of improvement in the workload degree when the improvement measure accompanying the introduction of the new device is applied and an estimated improvement effect indicating a degree of improvement in the workload degree when the improvement measure not accompanying the introduction of the new device is applied,

the improvement countermeasure determination unit (108) includes, in the application improvement countermeasure, an improvement countermeasure that accompanies the introduction of the new device and an improvement countermeasure that does not accompany the introduction of the new device when the improvement countermeasure that accompanies the introduction of the new device has the highest estimated improvement effect.

3. The work assist device (21, 31A, 51) according to claim 1 or 2,

and an improvement countermeasure evaluation unit (111) for evaluating an improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement of the work load when the application improvement countermeasure is actually applied, based on the operator information and the production facility information (181), and storing the improvement effect in the improvement countermeasure storage unit (106).

4. The work assist device (31, 31A) according to claim 1 or 2,

the simulation further presumes the presumed influence of the improvement countermeasures (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174) on the production plan,

the improvement countermeasure determination unit (108) determines the application improvement countermeasure based on the estimated improvement effect (192) and the estimated influence.

5. The work assist device (31, 31A) according to claim 4,

the simulation infers the inferred impact based on production performance.

6. The work assist device (41) according to claim 1 or 2,

the operator information includes a skill level indicating a skill level of the operator (131) for the operation,

the improvement countermeasure storage section (106) stores information for specifying a corresponding work load degree corresponding to the skill degree,

the work load degree evaluation device further comprises a proficiency degree evaluation unit (114), and the proficiency degree evaluation unit (114) updates the proficiency degree when the deviation between the work load degree and the corresponding work load degree is larger than a standard.

7. The work assist device (51) according to claim 1 or 2,

and an improvement countermeasure addition unit (115) for creating an improvement countermeasure prescribed for the operator (131) on the basis of the behavior of the operator (131), the improvement countermeasure addition unit (115) adding the improvement countermeasure prescribed for the operator (131) to the improvement countermeasures (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174).

8. The work aid (51) according to claim 7,

the improvement countermeasure determination unit (108) preferentially includes the improvement countermeasure specified for the operator (131) in the application improvement countermeasure even when an improvement countermeasure having a higher estimated improvement effect than the estimated improvement effect of the improvement countermeasure specified for the operator (131) exists, in a case where the improvement countermeasures (161, 162, 171, 172, 173, 174) include the improvement countermeasure specified for the operator (131).

9. The work assisting device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the application improvement countermeasure can include an application improvement countermeasure applied to the production equipment (132),

the production equipment transmission unit (110) is also provided, and the production equipment transmission unit (110) transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure applied to the production equipment (132).

10. The work assist device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 9,

the production facility transmission unit (110) transmits the information to the production facility (132) in real time when an application improvement measure to be applied to the production facility (132) is determined.

11. The work assist device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 9,

the system further comprises an operator transmission unit (109), wherein the operator transmission unit (109) transmits information to the operator (131), the information being presented to the operator (131) when the application improvement measure applied to the production equipment (132) is applied to the production equipment (132).

12. The work assisting device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the application improvement countermeasure can include an application improvement countermeasure applied to the operator (131),

the system further comprises an operator transmission unit (109), and the operator transmission unit (109) transmits information for applying the application improvement measure applied to the operator (131).

13. The work assisting device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

further comprising:

an operator information storage unit (102) that stores the operator information;

an operator information collection unit (101) that sequentially collects, in real time, new operator information included in the operator information;

a production facility information storage unit (104) that stores the production facility information (181); and

and a production facility information collection unit (103) that sequentially collects, in real time, new production facility information included in the production facility information (181).

14. The work assist device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 13,

when the new worker information and the new production equipment information are collected, the work load evaluation unit (105) evaluates the work load in real time on the basis of the new worker information and the new production equipment information.

15. The work assist device (31, 31A) according to claim 4,

a production plan collection unit (112) is also provided, and the production plan collection unit (112) collects the production plans.

16. The work assist device (31, 31A) according to claim 5,

the production record collection device further comprises a production record collection unit (113), and the production record collection unit (113) collects the production records.

17. A work assistance system (1, 2, 3A, 4, 5) comprising:

the work assisting device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51) according to claim 1 or 2;

an input unit (12) for inputting information to the work support device (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51); and

and an output unit (13) that outputs information from the work support devices (11, 21, 31A, 41, 51).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a work support device and a work support system.

Background

In a production line of a factory or the like, reduction in the number of workers, aging, and the like have been problematic. Therefore, in a production line of a factory or the like, automation techniques such as an industrial robot and a process automation system are often put into practical use in order to reduce a burden on an operator and improve production efficiency. However, in a production line of a factory or the like, there is still a working process that cannot reduce the burden on the operator and improve the production efficiency only by the above-described automation technology. Therefore, in a production line of a factory or the like, in order to reduce a load borne by an operator and maintain or improve production efficiency, measures such as quantitatively evaluating the load borne by the operator and presenting a change in a business carried by the operator based on the evaluated load are taken.

For example, in the technique described in patent document 1, information on the physical state of the operator is acquired (paragraph 0027). Further, an evaluation value for the work of the operator is calculated based on the information of the physical state of the operator (paragraph 0031). Further, a plurality of process recipes having different recipe contents are obtained for a set of processes to be created (paragraph 0039). Accordingly, it is possible to derive process recipes that are efficient in terms of the adaptability of the operator to the work, from the adequacy/inadequacy, appropriateness/inadequacy, and the like of the operator (paragraph 0088).

In the technique described in patent document 2, the work required time for each work category for each worker is extracted (paragraph 0066). Further, the dispersion value α 1 is calculated for the total accumulated actual result value with respect to the set of actual result values of the operation required time for each operation type of each operator (paragraph 0067). Further, a set of total actual performance values of the work required time for each work category of each worker is divided at predetermined sampling intervals, and a variance value α 2 of the actual performance values is calculated for each divided set (paragraph 0067). When the variance value α 2 is larger than the variance value α 1, it is determined that the time required for the operation of the operator is in a fluctuating state, and it is determined that the operation efficiency of the operator is in a decreased state (paragraph 0079). In addition, the work plan is adjusted so as to reduce the work load of the operator according to the degree of the reduction in the work efficiency (paragraph 0080). Accordingly, the work plan can be created or adjusted in consideration of the state and characteristics of the operator in accordance with various purposes such as optimization of work efficiency (paragraph 0088).

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2017-68432

Patent document 2: japanese patent No. 5027053

Disclosure of Invention

In the case of taking the above-described countermeasure, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the production efficiency can be maintained or improved. However, if the number of operators who can perform the work is insufficient, the above-described measures cannot be taken. Therefore, in a production line of a factory or the like, it is expected to shift from a machine-oriented system in which an operator performs work in accordance with production equipment to a worker-oriented system in which the production equipment assists in maximizing performance exerted by the operator.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems. The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work support device and a work support system capable of automatically applying an improvement measure that effectively reduces the burden on a worker due to work.

The work support device includes a work load evaluation unit, an improvement measure storage unit, a simulation unit, and an improvement measure determination unit.

The work load degree evaluation unit evaluates a work load degree indicating a degree of load on the operator due to the work, based on the operator information and the production facility information. The worker information is information on a worker who performs work in cooperation with the production facility. The production apparatus information is information on a production apparatus.

The improvement-countermeasure storage unit stores improvement countermeasures for improving the workload.

The simulation unit performs simulation for estimating an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload level when the improvement measure is applied.

The improvement measure determination unit determines an application improvement measure to be applied to at least one of the operator and the production facility from the improvement measures based on the estimated improvement effect.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the degree of work burden indicating the degree of load borne by the operator due to the work is evaluated based on the information on the operator and the production facility. Further, an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the work load when an improvement measure for improving the evaluated work load is applied is estimated. Further, an application improvement measure to be applied to at least one of the operator and the production facility is determined based on the estimated improvement effect. Therefore, improvement measures that effectively reduce the burden on the operator due to the work can be automatically applied.

The objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to embodiments 1 to 5 is performed.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiments 1 to 5.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the improvement measures and the estimated improvement effects stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiments 1 to 5.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a work assistance system and a work assistance apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 5.

Detailed Description

1 sequence

The work support system and the work support apparatus described below support a work performed by a worker and production equipment in cooperation with each other in a production line of a factory including the worker and the production equipment. The work support system and the work support device may support a work performed by a worker in cooperation with production equipment outside a production line of a factory. The work assistance is performed to improve the work load degree indicating the degree of load on the operator due to the work. Therefore, the production facility has a device that can be controlled from the work assist system and the work assist device. The device is a work table having a variable height or the like, a robot device that performs production in cooperation with an operator, a machining device that requires supply of components by the operator, a mechanism that supports and/or carries a work object that can be a work target, a conveyor line that conveys the work object, components, and the like to or from the operator, a lighting device that illuminates the hand of the operator, an air conditioning device that is introduced into a work place where work is performed, an air blower device that is introduced into a work place where work is performed, and the like.

Embodiment 1

2.1 work assistance System

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 1. The work assistance system 1 of embodiment 1 illustrated in fig. 1 includes a work assistance device 11, an input unit 12, and an output unit 13.

The work support device 11 determines an application improvement measure for improving the work load degree based on the operator information and the production facility information, and applies the determined application improvement measure to at least one of the operator and the production facility. The worker information is information related to a worker. The production apparatus information is information related to the production apparatus. The work load degree is a degree indicating a load on the operator due to the work.

The work assisting apparatus 11 may be constituted by one apparatus or a plurality of apparatuses combined.

The input unit 12 and the output unit 13 are communicably connected to the work assist device 11, and serve as a user interface of the work assist device 11. The input unit 12 inputs information to the work assisting apparatus 11. The output unit 13 outputs information from the work assisting apparatus 11.

2.2 work auxiliary device

The work support device 11 includes an operator information collection unit 101, an operator information storage unit 102, a production facility information collection unit 103, a production facility information storage unit 104, a work load degree evaluation unit 105, an improvement countermeasure storage unit 106, a simulation unit 107, an improvement countermeasure determination unit 108, an operator transmission unit 109, and a production facility transmission unit 110.

These elements may be configured by causing a computer to execute a program, or may be configured by hardware that does not execute a program.

2.3 worker information collecting part

The worker information collection unit 101 collects new worker information.

The new worker information to be collected includes at least a personal Identifier (ID) of the worker, a physical load condition, and a category during work, during rest, and during waiting. The personal identifier of the operator identifies the operator. The personal identifier is a number, name, or the like. The physical loading condition is a condition of the load to which the body is subjected. The physical load status may be collected by measuring the living log data by a biosensor or the like, or may be collected by measuring the posture during the execution of the work by a posture sensor, a camera, or the like. The measured life log data includes blood pressure, heartbeat, body temperature, perspiration amount, and other life log data. The attitude to be measured is estimated from measurement data output from the attitude sensor, an image output from the camera, and the like. The new worker information to be collected may include information other than these information. For example, the new worker information to be collected may include a continuous work time of the worker, environmental data of a place where the worker is located, and speech content of the worker. The environmental data are room temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc. The collected worker information may include a length of an actual required time of the work relative to a standard required time of the work.

In order to enable the work assisting apparatus 11 to transmit information for applying the improvement measures in real time, the operator information collecting unit 101 preferably collects new operator information, which is a basis for determining to apply the improvement measures, in real time.

2.4 worker information storage Unit

The worker information storage unit 102 stores worker information.

The new worker information collected by the worker information collection unit 101 is included in the worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102. The worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102 may include worker information other than the worker information collected by the worker information collection unit 101. For example, the worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102 may include employment management data. The employment management data includes sex, age, physical characteristics, presence or absence of illness, contents of illness, presence or absence of employment restrictions, contents of employment restrictions, years of experience, types of adequacy/inadequacy regarding each job, qualification, employment time, overtime, and vacation status of the worker. The physical characteristics are height, weight, etc.

2.5 production facility information collecting section

The production facility information collection unit 103 collects new production facility information.

The new production facility information to be collected includes at least one of a device Identifier (ID) of the device, an operation status, and a set value and a current value of a variable parameter related to the cooperative operation production by the operator. The device identifier of the device identifies the device. The device identifier is a number, a device name, or the like. The new production equipment information that is collected may contain information in addition to this information. For example, the new production facility information to be collected may include at least one of a set value and a current value of a variable parameter that is not related to the cooperative operation production by the operator, presence or absence of a problem, a warning, and measurement data of a sensor or the like provided in or around the production facility. The measurement data is measurement data such as vibration, electromagnetic waves, a current value, a voltage value, a power value, and a power amount.

In order to enable the work assisting apparatus 11 to transmit information for applying the application improvement countermeasure in real time, the production equipment information collection unit 103 preferably collects new production equipment information, which is a basis for determining the application improvement countermeasure, in real time.

2.6 production facility information storage section

The production facility information storage unit 104 stores production facility information.

The new production facility information collected by the production facility information collection unit 103 is included in the production facility information stored in the production facility information storage unit 104. The production equipment information stored in the production equipment information storage portion 104 may contain production equipment information other than the production equipment information collected by the production equipment information collection portion 103. For example, the production equipment information stored in the production equipment information storage unit 104 may include the year and month of purchase, model number, manufacturing number, accumulated operating time, daily check record, maintenance record, upper and lower limit values indicating settable ranges of variable parameters relating to the cooperative operation production by the operator, upper and lower limit values indicating settable ranges of variable parameters not relating to the cooperative operation production by the operator, an operation plan, an operation performance, and the like of the production equipment.

2.7 workload evaluation section

The work load evaluation unit 105 evaluates the work load based on the worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102 and the production facility information stored in the production facility information storage unit 104. When evaluating the work burden degree, the posture of the operator is estimated from, for example, measurement data output from the posture sensor, an image output from the camera, and the like. Further, the workload is estimated from the estimated posture of the operator using a conventional technique such as "dhaiba works" which is a platform software of digital human technology developed by the national institute of advanced industrial science and technology. The workload level can be estimated from measurement data acquired by a biosensor or the like. The degree of workload can be estimated from the length of the actual required time of the job relative to the standard required time of the job.

In order to enable the work support device 11 to transmit information for applying the improvement measures in real time, the work load evaluation unit 105 preferably evaluates the work load in real time based on the new operator information and the new production equipment information when the new operator information and the new production equipment information are collected.

2.8 improvement countermeasure storage section

The improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 stores improvement countermeasures for improving the workload.

The improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-measure storage unit 106 are a plurality of improvement countermeasures.

The improvement countermeasure stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 includes at least a device Identifier (ID) of the device and information transmitted to the device for applying the improvement countermeasure. The device identifier identifies the device. The device identifier is a number, a device name, or the like. The improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-measure storage section 106 may be information other than these pieces of information. For example, the improvement countermeasure stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 may include information transmitted to a device or an operator other than the device to which the improvement countermeasure is applied, an expected value, a minimum value, a maximum value, and the like of an improvement amount of the work load degree before and after the application of the improvement countermeasure.

The improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 preferably include an improvement countermeasure targeted by an operator, an improvement countermeasure targeted by production equipment, and an improvement countermeasure targeted by an operator and production equipment. The improvement measures to be taken by the operator include a change in the operation speed, a change in the operation order, and the like. The improvement measures to be taken by the production facility include a change in the working height, a load bearing by the production facility, and the like. The improvement measure for the operator and the production facility is to increase or decrease the amount of assistance to the operator by the production robot.

2.9 simulation part

The simulation unit 107 performs simulation for estimating an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload level when the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 is applied. The simulation unit 107 may perform a simulation for estimating the estimated improvement effect in advance, and may store the estimated improvement effect in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 in advance. The estimated improvement effect can be estimated from the simulated change in the degree of workload by simulating the change in the degree of workload due to the change in the posture before and after the application of the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 using the conventional technique such as "dhaiba works" described above. The change in the required time of the work before and after the improvement countermeasure stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 is simulated, and the estimated improvement effect can be estimated from the simulated change in the required time of the work.

The estimated improvement effect estimated by the simulation unit 107 is an estimated improvement effect when one or more improvement measures selected from the plurality of improvement measures stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 are applied.

2.10 determination part of improvement measure

The improvement-countermeasure determining unit 108 determines an application improvement countermeasure to be applied to at least one of the operator and the production facility, based on the estimated improvement effect estimated by the simulation unit 107, from the improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106.

The application improvement countermeasure decided by the improvement countermeasure decision section 108 is one application improvement countermeasure or a plurality of application improvement countermeasures.

The applied improvement measure determined by the improvement measure determination unit 108 may be an improvement measure having the highest estimated improvement effect, or may be an improvement measure selected from a combination of an improvement measure having the highest estimated improvement effect among the improvement measures targeted for the production facility, an improvement measure having the highest estimated improvement effect among the improvement measures targeted for the operator, and an improvement measure having the highest estimated improvement effect among the improvement measures targeted for the operator and the production facility. When none of the improvement measures stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 can improve the workload, the improvement measure determination unit 108 may determine not to apply the improvement measure.

2.11 operator conveyor

The operator transmission unit 109 transmits information presented to the operator when the application improvement measure applied to the production equipment is applied to the production equipment. The information to be presented is preferably information to be presented in order to ensure the safety of the operator, to improve the efficiency of the work, and the like.

The application improvement countermeasure determined by the improvement countermeasure determination unit 108 may include one application improvement countermeasure or a plurality of application improvement countermeasures to be applied to the operator. When the application improvement countermeasure determined by the improvement countermeasure determination unit 108 includes an application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the operator, the operator transmission unit 109 transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the operator.

The information transmitted by the operator transmission unit 109 is displayed on an operator monitor used for the work, a portable terminal provided for the operator, or the like. The information transmitted by the operator transmission unit 109 may be displayed together with a number plate or the like in the factory. The information transmitted by the operator transmission unit 109 may be transmitted as audio information, various signal information, or the like.

In order to enable the work support apparatus 11 to transmit information for applying the application improvement countermeasure in real time, the operator transmission unit 109 preferably transmits information presented to the operator in real time when determining the application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the production facility. When determining the application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the operator, the operator transmission unit 109 preferably transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the operator in real time.

2.12 production facility transfer section

The application improvement countermeasure determined by the improvement countermeasure determination section 108 may include one application improvement countermeasure or a plurality of application improvement countermeasures applied to the production facility. When the application improvement countermeasure determined by the improvement countermeasure determination unit 108 includes an application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the production equipment, the production equipment transmission unit 110 transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the production equipment. The information to be transmitted is a setting change command, a file in which the setting change command is recorded, a setting value, a change content of the setting value, and the like.

When the production facility transmission unit 110 transmits information to the production facility, for example, a setting change command is directly transmitted to the production facility via a network or the like. The production equipment is connected to the programmable logic controller, the database, and the like via a network or the like, and the set value is written in the programmable logic controller, the database, and the like, and the production equipment can update its own set value with reference to the written set value. A file in which a setting change command is described can be output to a network folder or the like that can be accessed by the production equipment and the production equipment transport unit 110, and the production equipment can read the file and update its own setting value.

In order to enable the work assisting apparatus 11 to transmit information for applying the application improvement countermeasure in real time, the production equipment transmitting portion 110 preferably transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure to the production equipment in real time when the application improvement countermeasure to be applied to the production equipment is determined.

2.13 handling of improvement countermeasures accompanying the introduction of new equipment

The improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-measure storage unit 106 preferably include an improvement countermeasure accompanying the introduction of a new device and an improvement countermeasure not accompanying the introduction of a new device.

In this case, the simulation performed by the simulation unit 107 estimates: an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload level when an improvement measure accompanying the introduction of a new device is applied; and an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload level when an improvement measure is applied without introducing a new device. The estimation of the improvement effect is performed for one operator or for a plurality of operators.

Further, when the improvement measure associated with the introduction of the new device has the highest estimated improvement effect, the improvement measure determination unit 108 applies the improvement measure including: improvement countermeasures accompanying the introduction of new equipment that cannot be executed in real time although having the highest estimated improvement effect; and improvement countermeasures that can be executed in real time without accompanying the introduction of new equipment, although not having the highest estimated improvement effect. The improvement countermeasure included in the application of the improvement countermeasure not accompanied with the introduction of the new device is one improvement countermeasure or a plurality of improvement countermeasures.

2.14 example of production line

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to embodiment 1 is performed. Fig. 2 also illustrates an example of the improvement measures stored in the work assist system and the work assist apparatus of embodiment 1.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the production line 121 includes an operator 131 and production equipment 132. The production facility 132 includes a 1 st device 141, a work table 142, a 2 nd device 143, a 1 st transfer line 144, and a 2 nd transfer line 145.

The 1 st line 144 transports the product from the 1 st device 141 to the work table 142. The 2 nd transfer line 145 transfers the product from the work table 142 to the 2 nd apparatus 143.

The biosensor and the attitude sensor are attached to the worker 131. The biosensor measures heartbeat, body temperature, and the like. The attitude sensor measures the attitude.

The worker 131 performs an operation of assembling a product on the work table 142. The height of the table 142 may vary. The height of the work table 142 can be changed directly by the work support device 11 or by the operator 131 operating a button or the like.

The production line 121 has an operator monitor 133. The operator monitor 133 is provided on the front of the operator 131. The operator monitor 133 displays information related to the work plan at ordinary times. The production line 121 produces 3 kinds of products having different sizes from each other. The 3 products were the same product but with widely different sizes. Therefore, when the worker 131 performs the work of assembling the product having the largest size, the worker needs to extend the wrist upward to perform the work. On the other hand, when the worker 131 performs the work of assembling the product having the smallest size, the worker must bend down to perform the work.

In the example illustrated in fig. 2, the improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 include an improvement countermeasure 161 targeted for the operator 131 and an improvement countermeasure 162 targeted for the production equipment 132. The improvement countermeasure 161 targeted for the operator 131 includes "sitting on a chair", "using a pedal", "using a jig", "changing the illuminance of the work table", and "changing the direction of the product". The improvement countermeasure 162 targeted for the production facility 132 includes an improvement countermeasure 171 targeted for the 1 st device 141, an improvement countermeasure 172 targeted for the work table 142, an improvement countermeasure 173 targeted for the 1 st transport line 144, and an improvement countermeasure 174 targeted for the 2 nd transport line 145. The improvement countermeasure 171 targeted by the 1 st apparatus 141 includes "change of direction of product during conveyance". The improvement countermeasure 172 to be provided for the work table 142 includes "height change" and "illuminance change". The improvement countermeasure 173 targeted by the 1 st transport line 144 and the improvement countermeasure 174 targeted by the 2 nd transport line 145 include "speed change" respectively. The improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-measure storage unit 106 include improvement countermeasures for the worker 131 and the production facility 132, which are not shown. The improvement measures to be taken by the operator 131 and the production facility 132 include "adding a new operator, a new conveyor line, and a new work table".

Next, the processing performed by the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 when the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 assist the work performed in the production line 121 illustrated in fig. 2 will be described. However, the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 can also assist the work performed in a production line other than the production line 121 illustrated in fig. 2.

2.15 processing by Job assistance System and Job assistance device

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 1.

When the work assistance system 1 and the work assistance device 11 assist the work, steps S101 to S110 shown in fig. 3 are executed. From the execution of step S101 to step S104, steps S103 and S104 are executed in parallel with steps S101 and S102.

In step S101, the operator information collection unit 101 collects operator information for the biosensor and the posture sensor attached to the operator 131. The collected operator information is measurement data output from the biosensor and the attitude sensor.

Next, in step S102, the collected worker information and the time stamp associated therewith are stored in the worker information storage unit 102.

In step S103, the production facility information collection unit 103 collects production facility information from the 1 st device 141, the work table 142, the 1 st transport line 144, and the 2 nd transport line 145.

Next, in step S104, the collected production facility information and the time stamp associated therewith are stored in the production facility information storage unit 104.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and a time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 1.

In the example illustrated in fig. 4, production device information 181 is associated with a timestamp 182. The production facility information 181 includes "operating status", "error content", and "work product" collected from the 1 st device 141. The production facility information 181 includes the "set speed" and the "operating speed" collected from the 1 st transport line 144. The production facility information 181 includes "height" and "illuminance" collected from the work table 142. The production facility information 181 includes the "set speed" and the "operating speed" collected from the 2 nd delivery line 145.

The description is continued with reference to fig. 3.

In step S105 following steps S102 and S104, the work load evaluation unit 105 extracts the worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102 and extracts the production equipment information stored in the production equipment information storage unit 104. The work load level evaluation unit 105 evaluates the work load level based on the extracted worker information and production equipment information. The extracted worker information and production equipment information are the latest worker information and production equipment information associated with the same time stamp. Alternatively, the extracted operator information and production equipment information are associated with the time stamps at the closest time points within the set error range. The set error range is a difference between a time interval at which the operator information is collected and a time interval at which the production equipment information is collected. Thus, the workload is evaluated based on the operator information and the production facility information collected at substantially the same time.

Next, in step S106, it is determined whether or not the work load needs to be improved. The case where it is determined that the work load needs to be improved is a case where the work load at the present time exceeds a set threshold, a case where the difference between the work load at the present time and the work load at a time several seconds before the present time exceeds a set threshold, a case where the work load tends to increase over the past several seconds, or the like. If it is determined that the workload needs to be improved, steps S107 to S110 are sequentially executed. If it is determined that the workload does not need to be improved, steps S101 and S103 are executed again.

In step S107, the simulation unit 107 performs simulation of an estimated improvement effect that estimates the degree of improvement indicating the degree of workload when the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 is applied. The simulation unit 107 stores the improvement measure and the estimated improvement effect in the improvement measure determination unit 108.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the improvement measures and the estimated improvement effects stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 1.

In the example illustrated in fig. 5, the improvement countermeasure 191 is associated with the estimated improvement effect 192. The improvement countermeasure 191 includes "object 1", "object 2", and "object 3" to which the improvement countermeasure 191 is applied. The improvement countermeasure 191 includes "change portion" and "change content" for "object 1", "object 2", and "object 3", respectively. The estimated improvement effect 192 includes an "expected value" of the improvement effect of the workload.

The simulation unit 107 estimates an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload when the improvement measure is applied, based on the workload evaluated by the workload evaluation unit 105 and the cause of the occurrence of the load on the operator 131 due to the operation. For example, a case is considered in which the worker 131 performs the work of assembling the product having the smallest size, and the work load degree indicating the degree of the load borne by the waist of the worker 131 by the work increases, in this case, the change in the posture of the worker 131 in the case of applying the improvement measure is estimated, the work load degree is recalculated based on the estimated change in the posture of the worker 131, and the estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the work load degree in the case of applying the improvement measure is evaluated based on the recalculated work load degree. The improvement measures may be tried in advance by the operator 131, and the result of the trial improvement measures by the operator 131, that is, the improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the work load when the improvement measures are actually applied, may be stored, and the stored improvement effect may be extracted and used as the estimated improvement effect. In the case where there are a plurality of improvement countermeasures having the estimated improvement effect, the evaluation result with respect to the secondary evaluation criterion may be calculated. The secondary evaluation criteria are whether or not the highest estimated improvement effect is obtained, whether or not a burden is imposed on other parts when the improvement measure is applied, whether or not delay is not generated in the work, and the like.

Next, in step S108, the improvement-countermeasure determination unit 108 determines whether or not to apply the improvement countermeasure stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106, based on the estimated improvement effect stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. The improvement-countermeasure determining unit 108 stores information indicating whether or not to apply the improvement countermeasure in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. The information is information indicating that the improvement countermeasure is an application improvement countermeasure. Preferably, the time stamp associated with the collected worker information, the time stamp associated with the collected production equipment information, the estimated improvement effect, and the information indicating whether or not to apply the improvement measure are stored in association with each other.

The improvement measure determination unit 108 may determine whether or not to apply the improvement measure based on the evaluation result of the 2-time evaluation criterion calculated by the simulation unit 107 in addition to the estimated improvement effect.

The decision as to whether or not to apply the improvement countermeasure is made in such a manner that the improvement countermeasure 162 targeted for the production facility 132 is preferentially applied.

When none of the improvement measures stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 can improve the current workload, the improvement measure determination unit 108 may determine not to apply the improvement measure.

Further, when the improvement measure associated with the introduction of the new device has the highest estimated improvement effect, the improvement measure determination unit 108 applies the improvement measure including: improvement countermeasures accompanying the introduction of new equipment that cannot be executed in real time although having the highest estimated improvement effect; and improvement countermeasures that can be executed in real time without accompanying the introduction of new equipment, although not having the highest estimated improvement effect.

Next, in step S109, if the application improvement countermeasure exists, at least one of the operator transmitter 109 and the production equipment transmitter 110 transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure to at least one of the operator 131 and the production equipment 132. For example, when there is an application improvement measure to be applied to the operator 131, the operator transmission unit 109 transmits a notification or the like to the operator 131 to apply the application improvement measure to be applied to the operator 131. In addition, in the case where there is an application improvement countermeasure applied to the production equipment 132, the production equipment transmitting portion 110 transmits, to the production equipment 132, a set value or the like for applying the application improvement countermeasure applied to the production equipment 132. When the application improvement measure applied to the production facility 132 is applied to the production facility 132 as necessary, the operator transmission unit 109 transmits information presented to the operator 131 along with the application improvement measure.

For example, when there is an application improvement measure of "change in height of the work table", the production facility transmission unit 110 transmits a setting value for applying the application improvement measure of "change in height of the work table" to the production facility 132. In order to ensure the safety of the operator 131, the operator transmission unit 109 transmits information to the operator 131 that an application improvement measure such as "change in the height of the work table" is applied and that the height of the work table 142 is automatically changed. The information is transmitted via a speaker, the operator monitor 133, and the like. The production equipment conveying unit 110 may notify the control devices included in the 1 st conveyor line 144 and the 2 nd conveyor line 145 connected to the work table 142 of the change in the height of the work table 142, and may adjust the timing of conveyance after the work of the operator 131 is completed to the control devices.

Next, in step S110, it is determined whether the operation is ended. In the case where the operation ends, the processing ends. In the case where the operation is not ended, there is no application improvement countermeasure or information for applying an application improvement countermeasure has been transmitted, steps S101 and S103 are executed again.

2.16 Effect of the invention of embodiment 1

According to the invention of embodiment 1, the degree of work burden indicating the degree of load borne by operator 131 due to the work is evaluated based on the information on operator 131 and production facility 132. Further, an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload when an improvement measure for improving the evaluated workload is applied is estimated. Further, an application improvement measure to be applied to at least one of the operator 131 and the production facility 132 is determined based on the estimated improvement effect. Therefore, application improvement measures that effectively reduce the burden on the operator 131 due to the work can be automatically applied. Therefore, the operator 131 can perform the work without placing an excessive burden on the operator, regardless of personal characteristics such as the skill and physical ability.

In addition, according to the invention of embodiment 1, in the case where the improvement measure accompanying the introduction of the new device has the highest estimated improvement effect, the application improvement measure includes an improvement measure accompanying the introduction of the new device which cannot be executed in real time although having the highest estimated improvement effect, and an improvement measure not accompanying the introduction of the new device which cannot be executed in real time although not having the highest estimated improvement effect. Thus, a method for improving the productivity of the production line for a long period of time can be proposed.

3 embodiment 2

Fig. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to embodiment 2 is performed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and a time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the improvement measures and the estimated improvement effects stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 2.

The work assistance system 2 and the work assistance apparatus 21 of embodiment 2 illustrated in fig. 6 are different from the work assistance system 1 and the work assistance apparatus 11 of embodiment 1 illustrated in fig. 1 mainly in the following respects. In the following aspects, the same configurations as those employed in the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 of embodiment 1 are employed in the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21 of embodiment 2, which are not described below.

As illustrated in fig. 6, the work assisting apparatus 21 includes an improvement countermeasure evaluation unit 111.

The improvement countermeasure evaluation unit 111 is connected to the operator information storage unit 102, the production facility information storage unit 104, and the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106.

The improvement-countermeasure evaluation unit 111 evaluates an improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload when the application of the improvement countermeasures is actually applied, based on the operator information stored in the operator information storage unit 102 and the production facility information stored in the production facility information storage unit 104. The improvement-countermeasure evaluation unit 111 stores the evaluated improvement effect in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. The improvement effect and an error of the estimated improvement effect estimated by simulation can be evaluated. The operator 131 can input evaluation information indicating the improvement effect from the input unit 12. When the operator 131 inputs evaluation information from the input unit 12, it is preferable to provide the input unit 12 with a touch panel, a switch, or the like that receives the input of the evaluation information.

When the work assistance system 2 and the work assistance device 21 assist the work, steps S101 to S110 shown in fig. 7 are executed in the same manner as when the work assistance system 1 and the work assistance device 11 assist the work. In addition, when the work assistance system 2 and the work assistance device 21 assist the work, steps S102 and S104 are executed, and then steps S121 to S123 and steps S105 to S109 are executed in parallel.

In step S121, the improvement countermeasure evaluation unit 111 determines whether or not the current state meets the evaluation criterion. The evaluation criterion indicates that the improvement effect should be evaluated. For example, information for applying the application improvement measure is transmitted within a time set in the recent past, and when a job whose job load should be improved by applying the improvement measure continues, it is determined that the current state matches the evaluation criterion. If it is determined that the current state matches the evaluation criterion, steps S122 and S123 are executed in this order, and then step S110 is executed. If it is determined that the current state does not meet the evaluation criterion, steps S101 and S103 are executed again without executing steps S122 and S123.

In step S122, the improvement-countermeasure evaluation unit 111 evaluates an improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload when the application improvement countermeasure is actually applied. For example, when the height of the work table 142 is automatically adjusted to improve the work burden degree indicating the degree of the burden on the waist of the operator 131, the posture of the operator 131 is measured again by the posture sensor, and whether or not the work burden degree is improved as indicated by the estimated improvement effect is evaluated based on the measured posture of the operator 131. The evaluation may be performed based on the efficiency of the work by the operator 131. The living log data of the worker 131 such as blood pressure, heartbeat, body temperature, and perspiration are measured by the biosensor, and evaluation may be performed based on the stability of the measured living log data.

Next, in step S123, the improvement-countermeasure evaluation unit 111 stores the evaluated improvement effect in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. Preferably, the collected worker information, the collected production facility information, and the evaluated improvement effect are stored in association with each other.

3.1 effects of the invention of embodiment 2

According to the invention of embodiment 2, similarly to the invention of embodiment 1, an application improvement measure that effectively reduces the burden on the operator 131 due to the work can be automatically applied.

In addition, according to the invention of embodiment 2, a post-evaluation of the improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload level when the application improvement measure is actually applied is performed. The results of the post-evaluation are stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106. This enables the improvement effect of the improvement countermeasure stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 to be self-learned and the improvement countermeasure to be set more appropriate for the operator. Therefore, the application improvement measure can be set to an application improvement measure more appropriate for the operator.

When the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 is an improvement measure in which the degree of work burden is assumed to be improved by improving the posture of the operator or the weight load applied to the operator, the application improvement measure is stored in association with the body change information, the improvement status, and the like of the operator, and thereby the personal physical characteristics of the operator and the preference for the work environment can be taken into consideration when estimating the estimated improvement effect.

Embodiment 3

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to embodiment 3 is performed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and a time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram of an example of an improvement measure and an estimated improvement effect stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 3. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 3.

The work assistance system 3 and the work assistance apparatus 31 of embodiment 3 illustrated in fig. 8 are different from the work assistance system 1 and the work assistance apparatus 11 of embodiment 1 illustrated in fig. 1 mainly in the following respects. In the following aspects, the same configurations as those employed in the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 of embodiment 1 are employed in the work assisting system 3 and the work assisting apparatus 31 of embodiment 3.

As shown in fig. 8, the work assisting apparatus 31 includes a production plan collecting unit 112 and a production record collecting unit 113.

The production plan collection unit 112 and the production record collection unit 113 are each connected to the simulation unit 107.

The production plan collecting unit 112 collects production plans. The production plan collected by the production plan collection unit 112 is a production plan assigned to the production line 121. The production plan collected by the production plan collection unit 112 is a production plan for one day of the collection day. The production plan collected by the production plan collection unit 112 is a production plan created by a production planning system or the like existing outside the work support system 3 and the work support apparatus 31. When the production plan collected by the production plan collection unit 112 is a production plan created in the production plan system, and the production plan collection unit 112 collects the production plan, the production plan collection unit 112 is connected to the production plan system via a network, and the production plan system directly transmits the production plan to the production plan collection unit 112. A file in which a production plan is described can be output to a network folder or the like accessible by both the production plan system and the production plan collecting unit 112, and the production plan collecting unit 112 can read the file. The production planning system may output a production plan to the database, and the production plan collection unit 112 may read the output production plan.

The production record collecting unit 113 collects the production records. The production record collected by the production record collection unit 113 is the production record achieved by the production line 121. The production results collected by the production results collection unit 113 are production results collected by a production management system or the like that is present outside the work support system 3 and the work support apparatus 31. The production record collection unit 113 may directly collect the production records from the production facility 132. When the production record collected by the production record collecting unit 113 is a production record collected in the production management system, and the production record collecting unit 113 collects the production record, the production record collecting unit 113 is connected to the production management system through a network, and the production management system directly transmits the production record to the production record collecting unit 113. The production record-containing file may be output to a network folder or the like accessible by both the production management system and the production record collecting unit 113, and the production record collecting unit 113 may read the file. The production management system may output the production results to the database, and the production results collection unit 113 may read the output production results.

The improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 stores the influence of the stored improvement countermeasures on the production plan. For example, similar to embodiment 1, the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 may include "sitting in a chair", "using a pedal", "using a jig", "changing the illuminance of the work table" and "changing the direction of a product", which are the improvement measures 161 to which the operator 131 is to be applied, "changing the direction of a product during transportation", which are the improvement measures 171 to which the 1 st device 141 is to be applied, "changing the height" and "changing the illuminance", which are the improvement measures 172 to which the work table 142 is to be applied, "changing the speed", which are the improvement measures 173 to which the 1 st transport line 144 is to be applied, "changing the speed", which are the improvement measures 174 to which the 2 nd transport line 145 is to be applied, and "adding a new operator, a new transport line, and a new work table", which are the improvement measures to which the operator and the production facility are to be applied. In this case, "use of the pedal", "change of the direction of the product", "change of the height", and "change of the speed" increase the working time, waiting time, and the like. Further, "change in illuminance on the work table" and "change in direction of the product during conveyance" do not increase the work time, waiting time, and the like. Further, "adding a new operator, a new line, and a new work table" reduces the work time, the waiting time, and the like. Therefore, the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 stores the degree of decrease in the production speed, the amount of increase in the working time, and the like, with respect to "use of the pedal", "change in the direction of the product", "change in height", and "change in speed". The improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 stores "change in illuminance on the work table" and "change in direction of the product during conveyance" so as not to cause a decrease in production speed, an increase in work time, and the like. The improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 stores the degree of increase in the production speed in relation to "adding a new operator, a new line, and a new work table".

The simulation performed by the simulation unit 107 estimates the estimated influence of the improvement countermeasure stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 on the production plan.

The improvement measure determination unit 108 determines to apply an improvement measure based on the estimated improvement effect and the estimated influence estimated by the simulation unit 107.

When the work is assisted by the work assisting system 3 and the work assisting apparatus 31, steps S109 and S110 from step S101 to step S106 shown in fig. 9 are executed in the same manner as when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11. In addition, when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 3 and the work assisting apparatus 31, after it is determined that the work load needs to be improved in step S106, step S131 is executed, and after step S131 is executed, steps S107 'and S108' are executed, respectively, instead of steps S107 and S108.

In step S131, the production plan collecting unit 112 collects the production plan, and the production record collecting unit 113 collects the production record. The production plan and the production record collected by the production plan collection unit 112 and the production record collection unit 113 are the production plan and the production record at the present time. The simulation unit 107 can obtain the production plan and the production results collected by the production plan collection unit 112 and the production results collection unit 113.

Next, in step S107', the simulation unit 107 performs a simulation for estimating an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the work load when the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 is applied, and the estimated influence of the improvement measure on the production plan. The simulation preferably estimates the estimated influence based on production performance. The simulation unit 107 also stores the improvement measure, the estimated improvement effect, and the estimated influence to be estimated in the improvement measure storage unit 106.

Next, in step S108', the improvement-countermeasure determination unit 108 determines whether or not to apply an improvement countermeasure based on the estimated improvement effect and the estimated influence stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. The improvement-countermeasure determining unit 108 stores information indicating whether or not to apply the improvement countermeasures in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. For example, the improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage section 106 include the above-described "use jig" and "speed change", and consider a case where the "use jig" has a relatively low estimated improvement effect and a relatively small reduction amount of the production speed, and the "speed change" has a relatively high estimated improvement effect and a relatively large reduction amount of the production speed. In this case, the improvement measure determination unit 108 sets "speed change" having a relatively high estimated improvement effect and a relatively large reduction amount of the production speed as the application improvement measure in a situation where it is easily allowable to influence the production plan, such as a case where the predicted value of the production performance and the degree of divergence of the production plan are small. In addition, the improvement countermeasure determination unit 108 sets "use jigs" having a relatively low estimated improvement effect and a relatively small reduction amount of the production speed as the application improvement countermeasures in a situation where it is difficult to allow the influence on the production plan, such as when the predicted value of the production performance does not reach the production plan.

Next, in step S109, in the case where there is an application improvement countermeasure, at least one of the operator transmitter 109 and the production equipment transmitter 110 transmits information for applying the application improvement countermeasure to at least one of the operator 131 and the production equipment 132.

According to the invention of embodiment 3, similarly to the invention of embodiment 1, an application improvement measure that effectively reduces the burden on the operator 131 due to the work can be automatically applied.

In addition, according to the invention of embodiment 3, the influence of the improvement measure on the production plan is estimated. Further, an application improvement measure is determined based on the estimated influence. Therefore, the application improvement countermeasure can be automatically applied in consideration of the influence on the production plan. For example, application improvement countermeasures can be automatically applied to minimize delays in production performance relative to production planning. Further, the application improvement measure can be automatically applied so that the workload can be greatly improved even if the delay of the production performance with respect to the production plan is allowed. Thus, the application improvement measure can be flexibly determined for the operator and the production plan.

Modification 1 of embodiment 3

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3 is performed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and a time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the improvement measures and the estimated improvement effects stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a work assistance system and a work assistance apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to modification 1 of embodiment 3.

The work support system 3A and the work support apparatus 31A of the modification 1 of embodiment 3 shown in fig. 10 are different from the work support system 2 and the work support apparatus 21 of embodiment 2 shown in fig. 6 mainly in the following respects. In terms not described below, the same configurations as those employed in the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21 of embodiment 2 are employed in the work assisting system 3A and the work assisting apparatus 31A of modification 1 of embodiment 3.

Differences between the work assisting system 3A and the work assisting apparatus 31A of modification 1 of embodiment 3 and the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21 of embodiment 2 are the same as the differences between the work assisting system 3 and the work assisting apparatus 31 of embodiment 3 and the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 of embodiment 1.

When the work is assisted by the work assisting system 3A and the work assisting apparatus 31A, steps S101 to S106 and steps S109, S110, and S121 to S123 shown in fig. 11 are executed in the same manner as when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21. In addition, when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 3A and the work assisting apparatus 31A, after it is determined that the work burden on the worker 131 needs to be improved in step S106, step S131 is executed, and after step S131 is executed, steps S107 'and S108' are executed, respectively, instead of steps S107 and S108.

In step S122, the improvement-countermeasure evaluation unit 111 evaluates an improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload when the application improvement countermeasure is actually applied and the influence of the application improvement countermeasure on the production plan.

In step S123, the improvement-countermeasure evaluation unit 111 stores the evaluated improvement effect and influence in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106.

In step S131, the production plan collection unit 112 collects the production plan and the production record collection unit 113 collects the production record, as in embodiment 3.

In step S107', as in embodiment 3, the simulation unit 107 performs a simulation for estimating an estimated improvement effect indicating the degree of improvement in the workload when the improvement measure stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 is applied, and the estimated influence of the improvement measure on the production plan. Further, as in embodiment 3, the simulation unit 107 stores the improvement measure, the estimated improvement effect, and the estimated influence to be estimated in the improvement measure determination unit 108.

In step S108', as in embodiment 3, the improvement measure determination unit 108 determines whether or not to apply an improvement measure based on the estimated improvement effect and the estimated influence stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106. Further, as in embodiment 3, the improvement-countermeasure determining unit 108 stores information indicating whether or not to apply the improvement countermeasures in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106.

According to the invention of modification 1 of embodiment 3, as in the invention of embodiment 1, application improvement measures that effectively reduce the burden on operator 131 due to the work can be automatically applied.

Further, according to the invention of modification 1 of embodiment 3, the application improvement measure can be made more appropriate for the operator as in the invention of embodiment 2.

Further, according to the invention of modification 1 of embodiment 3, similarly to the invention of embodiment 3, it is possible to automatically apply the application improvement measure in consideration of the influence on the production plan.

In addition, according to the invention of modification 1 of embodiment 3, the influence of the application of the improvement countermeasure on the production plan is actually stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106. This makes it possible to self-learn the influence stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 and estimate the estimated influence on the production plan with high accuracy.

Embodiment 4

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to embodiment 4 is performed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and a time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 4. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the improvement measures and the estimated improvement effects stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 4. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 4.

The work support system 4 and the work support apparatus 41 according to embodiment 4 illustrated in fig. 12 are different from the work support system 1 and the work support apparatus 11 according to embodiment 1 illustrated in fig. 1 mainly in the following respects. In the work assisting system 4 and the work assisting apparatus 41 according to embodiment 4, the same configurations as those adopted in the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 according to embodiment 1 are also adopted, which will not be described below.

The operator information stored in the operator information storage unit 102 includes proficiency indicating the proficiency level of the operator 131 in the operation. The skill level is used to correct the workload level evaluated by the workload level evaluation unit 105.

The improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 stores information for specifying the corresponding workload level corresponding to the skill level. The information stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 may be an expected value, a minimum value, or a maximum value indicating the degree of corresponding work burden, or may be a calculation formula for calculating the degree of corresponding work burden.

As shown in fig. 12, the work assisting apparatus 41 includes a skill level evaluating unit 114.

The skill level evaluation unit 114 is connected to the workload level evaluation unit 105.

The skill level evaluation unit 114 updates the skill level when the difference between the work load level evaluated by the work load level evaluation unit 105 and the corresponding work load level corresponding to the skill level included in the operator information stored in the operator information storage unit 102 is larger than a reference. Generally, when the operator 131 has a high skill level, the workload is reduced, and a reduction in work efficiency, an increase in fatigue, and the like are not likely to occur. On the other hand, if the operator 131 does not have high skill, the workload increases, and a reduction in work efficiency, an increase in fatigue, and the like are likely to occur. Therefore, the proficiency level that is the basis of the correction of the workload level evaluated by the workload level evaluation unit 105 is updated to an appropriate proficiency level by the proficiency level evaluation unit 114, and the workload level evaluated by the workload level evaluation unit 105 can be made closer to the workload level felt by the body of the operator 131.

When the work is assisted by the work assisting system 4 and the work assisting apparatus 41, steps S101 to S110 shown in fig. 13 are executed in the same manner as when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11. In addition, when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 4 and the work assisting apparatus 41, after it is determined that the work load needs to be improved in step S106, steps S141 to S143 and steps S107 to S109 are executed in parallel.

In step S141, the proficiency level evaluating unit 114 determines whether or not the proficiency level included in the worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102 needs to be updated. When the deviation between the workload degree evaluated by the workload degree evaluation unit 105 and the corresponding workload degree corresponding to the skill level is larger than a reference, it is determined that the skill level needs to be updated. If it is determined that the skill level needs to be updated, steps S142 and S143 are sequentially executed, and then step S110 is executed. If it is determined that the skill level does not need to be updated, steps S101 and S103 are executed again without executing steps S142 and S143.

In step S142, the proficiency level evaluating unit 114 updates the proficiency level included in the worker information stored in the worker information storage unit 102 to a new proficiency level. The new skill level is obtained by searching for a skill level suitable for the workload level, determining the level of the work speed and/or the work efficiency, the number of times of interruption of the work, and the like.

Next, in step S143, the proficiency level evaluating unit 114 stores the new proficiency level in the worker information storage unit 102.

According to the invention of embodiment 4, similarly to the invention of embodiment 1, an application improvement measure that effectively reduces the burden on the operator 131 due to the work can be automatically applied.

In addition, according to the invention of embodiment 4, the change in the skill level that affects the work ability of the operator can be automatically learned, and the work load level can be evaluated with high accuracy.

The configuration adopted in the work assisting system 4 and the work assisting apparatus 41 according to embodiment 4 may be adopted in the work assisting system 1 and the work assisting apparatus 11 according to embodiment 1, the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21 according to embodiment 2, the work assisting system 3 and the work assisting apparatus 31 according to embodiment 3, or the work assisting system 3A and the work assisting apparatus 31A according to modification 1 of embodiment 3.

7 embodiment 5

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a production line in which a work assisted by the work assisting system and the work assisting apparatus according to embodiment 5 is performed. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of production facility information and a time stamp stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the improvement measures and the estimated improvement effects stored in the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a work support system and a work support apparatus according to embodiment 5. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a process flow performed by the work support system and the work support apparatus according to embodiment 5.

The work assistance system 5 and the work assistance apparatus 51 according to embodiment 5 illustrated in fig. 14 are different from the work assistance system 2 and the work assistance apparatus 21 according to embodiment 2 illustrated in fig. 6 mainly in the following respects. In the work assisting system 5 and the work assisting apparatus 51 according to embodiment 5, the same configurations as those adopted in the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21 according to embodiment 2 are also adopted, which will not be described below.

As illustrated in fig. 14, the work assisting apparatus 51 includes an improvement countermeasure adding section 115.

The improvement-countermeasure adding unit 115 creates an improvement countermeasure customized for the operator 131 based on the behavior of the operator 131. The improvement countermeasure customized for the operator 131 is created by customizing an existing improvement countermeasure already stored in the improvement countermeasure storage section 106. Further, the improvement-countermeasure adding unit 115 adds the created improvement-countermeasures customized for the operator 131 to the improvement-countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106. The improvement-countermeasure adding unit 115 may add a new improvement countermeasure to the improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 based on the behavior of the operator 131. The behavior of the operator 131 that becomes a trigger for adding the improvement countermeasure customized for the operator 131 or the new improvement countermeasure is a behavior of suspending application of the application improvement countermeasure, a behavior of manually changing the set value of the production facility 132, or the like. When adding an improvement measure customized for worker 131 or a new improvement measure, the contents of this action are stored together with the personal identifier of worker 131. Generally, in many cases, the worker 131 with high skill has a unique work order, a work recipe, and the like, and performs the above-described actions in order to effectively use the unique work order, the work recipe, and the like. Therefore, according to the improvement-countermeasure adding unit 115, the improvement countermeasures customized for the worker 131 with high proficiency can be automatically applied, and the unique work order, work know-how, and the like of the worker 131 with high proficiency can be reflected to the beginner or the average worker.

The operator information stored in the operator information storage unit 102 includes proficiency indicating the proficiency level of the operator 131 in the operation.

The improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 gives a flag indicating that the improvement countermeasure is customized for the operator 131 and a personal identifier of the operator 131 to the improvement countermeasure customized for the operator 131. Further, the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 stores the personal identifier of the given operator 131.

When the improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement countermeasure storage unit 106 include the improvement countermeasures customized for the operator 131, the improvement countermeasure determination unit 108 preferentially includes the improvement countermeasures customized for the operator 131 in the application improvement countermeasures even when there are improvement countermeasures having a higher estimated improvement effect than the estimated improvement effect of the improvement countermeasures customized for the operator 131.

When the work is assisted by the work assisting system 5 and the work assisting apparatus 51, steps S101 to S110, S121, and S122 shown in fig. 15 are executed in the same manner as when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 2 and the work assisting apparatus 21. In addition, when the work is assisted by the work assisting system 5 and the work assisting apparatus 51, step S122 is executed, and then steps S151 to S153 are executed.

In step S151, it is determined whether or not the set values collected by the production equipment information collection unit 103 and the set values transmitted by the production equipment transmission unit 110 match each other. If it is determined that the setting values match each other, step S110 is executed after steps S152 and S153 are executed in this order. If it is determined that the setting values do not match each other, steps S101 and S103 are executed again without executing steps S152 and S153.

In step S152, the improvement countermeasure addition unit 115 determines the reason for the change of the set value based on the operator information and the production facility information.

Next, in step S153, if the reason for changing the set value is based on the behavior of the operator 131, the improvement-countermeasure adding unit 115 stores the changed set value of the production facility 132 and the personal identifier of the operator 131, which constitute the improvement countermeasure to be planned for the operator 131, in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106.

In step S108, when the improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-measure storage unit 106 include the improvement countermeasures customized for the operator 131, the improvement countermeasures customized for the operator 131 are preferentially included in the application improvement countermeasures even when there are improvement countermeasures having a higher estimated improvement effect than the estimated improvement effect of the improvement countermeasures customized for the operator 131. The improvement countermeasures stored in the improvement-countermeasure storage unit 106 include improvement countermeasures specified by other operators, and when the improvement countermeasures specified by other operators have a high estimated improvement effect, the improvement countermeasures specified by other operators may be included in the application improvement countermeasures.

If it is estimated in step S107 that the improvement measures customized for the operator 131 have a high estimated improvement effect for a plurality of operators, the improvement measures customized for the operator 131 may be added to the improvement measures stored in the improvement measure storage unit 106 as improvement measures applicable to all the operators.

According to the invention of embodiment 5, similarly to the invention of embodiment 1, an application improvement measure that effectively reduces the burden on the operator 131 due to the work can be automatically applied.

Further, according to the invention of embodiment 5, as in the invention of embodiment 2, the application improvement measure can be set to an application improvement measure more suitable for the operator.

In addition, according to the invention of embodiment 5, it is possible to automatically apply the improvement measures customized by the operator having high skill. Therefore, the work order, know-how of the work, and the like of the worker having high proficiency can be reflected to the beginner and the average worker.

The configuration adopted in the work assisting system 5 and the work assisting apparatus 51 of embodiment 5 can also be adopted in the work assisting system 3A and the work assisting apparatus 31A of modification 1 of embodiment 3. The configuration adopted in the work assisting system 5 and the work assisting apparatus 51 according to embodiment 5 may be adopted in a work assisting system and a work assisting apparatus modified so as to include the improvement countermeasure evaluation unit 111.

In the present invention, the respective embodiments may be freely combined, or may be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention.

The present invention has been described in detail, but all the embodiments described above are examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that numerous modifications, not illustrated, can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 2, 3A, 4, 5 work support systems, 11, 21, 31A, 41, 51 work support devices, 12 input units, 13 output units, 101 worker information collection units, 102 worker information storage units, 103 production facility information collection units, 104 production facility information storage units, 105 work burden degree evaluation units, 106 improvement countermeasure storage units, 107 simulation units, 108 improvement countermeasure determination units, 109 worker transmission units, 110 production facility transmission units, 111 improvement countermeasure evaluation units, 112 production plan collection units, 113 production achievement collection units, 114 proficiency degree evaluation units, 115 improvement countermeasure addition units, 121 production lines, 131 workers, 132 production facilities, 181 production facility information, 182 time stamps, 191 improvement countermeasures, and 192 improvement effects.