JP2011102166A - Conveying route determining method and automatic conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveying route determining method and an automatic conveyance system that can set an optimum conveying route between a conveyance source and a conveyance destination. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic conveyance system 1 includes control panels 7-11 controlling each automatic conveyance facility, and a management computer 12. The management computer 12 includes a database 18 storing and memorizing a cost table; a cost table updating section 19 computing the present facility cost of each conveyance facility by multiplying a reference facility cost corresponding to the basic operating performance of each conveyance facility, by a weighted value corresponding to the present operating situation of each conveyance facility, setting the computed present facility cost of each conveyance facility to the cost table, adding the present facility cost of each conveyance facility for each route number to compute a conveyance cost, and setting the computed conveyance cost to the cost table; and a conveying route setting section 20 selecting a conveying route candidate lowest in conveyance cost out of a plurality of routes (conveying route candidates) through which the conveyance source corresponds to the conveyance destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance path determination method and an automatic conveyance system for determining a conveyance path in an automatic conveyance system, for example.

  As a conventional transfer route determination method for an automatic transfer system, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of transfer route candidates set between a planned carry-in location and a planned carry-out location are There is known one in which one transport route is selected based on a transport time expected when transporting a sheet.

JP 2006-312514 A

  By the way, in the automatic transfer system, the operation status of the transfer facility may change from moment to moment, such as when the corresponding transfer facility is broken or in use. However, in the above-described prior art, since the transfer route is not selected in consideration of the operation status of each work transfer unit, the optimum transfer route is not always selected.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a transport path determination method and an automatic transport system that can set an optimal transport path between a transport source and a transport destination.

  The present invention relates to a transport path determination method for determining a transport path from a plurality of transport path candidates in which a transport source and a transport destination coincide with each other, and a basic configuration of a plurality of transport apparatuses arranged between the transport source and the transport destination. Based on the operation performance and the current operation status, the step of obtaining the current equipment cost of each transfer device and the total of the current equipment cost of the transfer device existing on the transfer route candidate are calculated, thereby transferring the transfer cost of the transfer route candidate. And a step of determining a transport route based on the transport cost of each transport route candidate.

  In such a transfer route determination method of the present invention, the current equipment cost of each transfer device is obtained based on the basic operation performance of each transfer device and the current operation status (whether it is in use, whether there is a failure, etc.). . Examples of the current equipment cost of the transfer device include time until the transfer is completed by the transfer device. At this time, for example, when the transfer device is in use, a transfer waiting time occurs in the transfer device, so that the current equipment cost is higher than when the transfer device is not used. Then, the transport cost of the transport path candidate is obtained by calculating the total current equipment cost of the transport device existing on the transport path candidate between the transport source and the transport destination, and based on the transport cost of each transport path candidate Determine the transport route. At this time, for example, when there is a currently used transfer device on the transfer route candidate, the transfer cost of the transfer route candidate becomes higher because the current equipment cost of the transfer device is high. Therefore, a transport route candidate having the lowest transport cost is determined as a transport route from among a plurality of transport route candidates. In this way, since the transport path is determined in consideration of not only the basic operation performance of the transport apparatus but also the current operation status of the transport apparatus, an optimal transport path can be obtained.

  In addition, the present invention includes a plurality of transport devices arranged between a transport source and a transport destination, and a plurality of drive control devices that individually control each transport device, and the transport source and the transport destination match. In an automatic transfer system that determines a transfer route from a plurality of transfer route candidates and performs automatic transfer according to the transfer route, the current equipment cost of each transfer device is calculated based on the basic operation performance and current operation status of each transfer device. By calculating the total of the equipment cost acquisition means to be calculated and the current equipment costs of the transfer apparatuses existing on the transfer path candidates, the transfer cost acquisition means for determining the transfer cost of the transfer path candidates, and the transfer cost of each transfer path candidate Route determining means for determining a transport route based on the route.

  Thus, in the automatic conveyance system of this invention, the conveyance path determination method mentioned above can be implemented by providing an installation cost acquisition means, a conveyance cost acquisition means, and a route determination means. As a result, an optimum transport path can be obtained as described above.

  Preferably, the facility cost acquisition unit multiplies the reference facility cost according to the basic operation performance of the transport device by a weighted value according to the current operation status of the transport device to obtain the current facility cost of the transport device. In this case, since the weight of the current operation status is increased in the current equipment cost of the transfer device, an optimum transfer path according to the current operation status of each transfer device can be obtained more reliably.

  Preferably, the intermediate transportation cost of the transportation path candidate is calculated by calculating the total current equipment cost of the transportation apparatus existing between the middle position and the transportation destination at the middle position of the transportation path determined by the path determination unit. And a route redetermining means for redetermining the transport route based on the midway transport cost of each transport route candidate. In this case, even if the operation status of the transport apparatus scheduled to be used changes, such as when a malfunction occurs in the transport apparatus existing on the transport path after the transport operation is started according to the transport path determined by the path determination means. Since the transport path is redetermined in the middle of the transport path, the optimal transport path can always be obtained until the automatic transport operation is completed.

  Further, preferably, the equipment cost acquisition means is provided in each drive control device. In many cases, the drive control device controls the driving of the transfer device and monitors the operation status of the transfer device in real time. Accordingly, by providing each drive control device with equipment cost acquisition means, it is possible to obtain an optimum transport path according to the exact current operating status of each transport device.

  According to the present invention, an optimal transport path can be set between a transport source and a transport destination. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform automatic conveyance from a conveyance source to a conveyance destination in a short time.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic conveyance system according to the present invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the layout of the automatic conveyance equipment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the management computer shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the conveyance path | route cost table stored in the cost table database shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the conveyance equipment cost table stored in the cost table database shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the cost table update process performed by the cost table update part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the conveyance path | route setting process performed by the conveyance path | route setting part shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the transfer route setting process executed by the transfer route setting unit shown in FIG. 3 as another embodiment of the automatic transfer system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the functional block of each control panel and management computer which were shown in FIG. 1 as further embodiment of the automatic conveyance system concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the cost data update process performed by the cost data update part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the cost table update process performed by the cost table update part shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a conveyance route determination method and an automatic conveyance system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic conveyance system according to the present invention. In the figure, an automatic transfer system 1 according to this embodiment includes a conveyor 2, a vertical transfer machine 3, an automatic guided vehicle 4, a tracked carriage 5, a crane 6, and a conveyor control panel 7 that controls the conveyor 2. A vertical conveyor control panel 8 that controls the vertical conveyor 3, an automatic guided vehicle control panel 9 that controls the automatic guided vehicle 4, a tracked truck control panel 10 that controls the tracked carriage 5, and a crane 6. A crane control panel 11 to be controlled and a management computer 12 connected to these control panels 7 to 11 are provided. In addition, the number of the conveyor 2, the vertical conveying machine 3, the automatic guided vehicle 4, the tracked carriage 5, and the crane 6 is not specifically limited. The control boards 7-11 have the same number as these automatic conveyance facilities.

  The control panels 7 to 11 drive and control each automatic transfer facility in accordance with a transfer instruction from the management computer 12. In addition, the control panels 7 to 11 monitor the operation status of each automatic transfer facility in real time using sensors, cameras, and the like, and transmit the monitoring information to the management computer 12 in a predetermined cycle. The management computer 12 performs inventory management of automatic warehouses, allocation of loading / unloading, determination of a conveyance route, conveyance instructions to the control panels 7 to 11 and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of the automatic conveyance facility shown in FIG. In the figure, on the floor, a tracked truck No. 1A 5A and a tracked truck No. 2 5B that travel on spaced track rails 13A and 13B are installed. Operations ST1 and ST2 are present side by side at a location adjacent to the track rail 13A. In operations ST1 and ST2, conveyors 2A and 2B are installed, respectively. The work ST (station) is a station that is a starting point for loading / unloading.

  Automatic warehouses 14A and 14B are installed side by side between the track rails 13A and 13B. The automatic warehouse 14A has a pair of storage shelves 15A and the first crane 6A that travels on a traveling rail 16A disposed between the storage shelves 15A. Intermediate STs 11 and 12 exist on one end side (track rail 13A side) of each storage shelf 15A. In the intermediate STs 11 and 12, conveyors 2C and 2D are installed, respectively. Intermediate STs 13 and 14 exist on the other end side (track rail 13B side) of each storage shelf 15A. In the intermediate STs 13 and 14, conveyors 2E and 2F are installed, respectively. The intermediate ST (station) is a station that connects the transport facilities on the way along the transport path without being the starting point for entering / exiting transport.

  The automatic warehouse 14B has a pair of storage shelves 15B and a second crane 6B that travels on a traveling rail 16B disposed between the storage shelves 15B. Intermediate STs 21 and 22 exist on one end side (track rail 13A side) of each storage shelf 15B. In the intermediate STs 21 and 22, conveyors 2G and 2H are installed, respectively. Intermediate STs 23 and 24 exist on the other end side (track rail 13B side) of each storage shelf 15B. In the intermediate STs 23 and 24, conveyors 2I and 2J are installed, respectively.

  On the opposite side of the automatic warehouses 14A and 14B with respect to the track rail 13B, a vertical conveyor No. 1 machine 3A, a vertical conveyor No. 2 machine 3B, and a vertical conveyor No. 3 machine 3C are installed side by side. An intermediate ST31 exists between the vertical transfer machine No. 1 3A and the track rail 13B. A conveyor 2K is installed in the intermediate ST31. An intermediate ST41 exists between the vertical transfer machine No. 2 3B and the track rail 13B. A conveyor 2L is installed in the intermediate ST41. An intermediate ST51 exists between the vertical transfer machine No. 3C 3C and the track rail 13B. A conveyor 2M is installed in the intermediate ST51.

  On the floor above the floor, the first automatic guided vehicle 4A that travels along a predetermined travel path 17 is arranged. An intermediate ST 32 exists between the vertical transfer machine No. 1 3 </ b> A and the travel path 17. A conveyor 2N is installed in the intermediate ST32. An intermediate ST42 exists between the vertical conveyor No. 2 machine 3B and the travel path 17. A conveyor 2O is installed in the intermediate ST42. An intermediate ST 52 exists between the vertical transfer machine No. 3C 3C and the traveling path 17. A conveyor 2P is installed in the intermediate ST52. In addition, operations ST3 to 5 are present side by side at locations adjacent to the travel path 17. Conveyors 2Q to 2S are installed in operations ST3 to ST5, respectively.

  The driving directions of the conveyors 2A to 2S are not limited to one direction or two directions. Each ST is not limited to a conveyor but may be provided with a self-propelled cart, a fixed load receiving platform, and the like. Further, the number of operations ST and intermediate STs, the number and arrangement of automatic transfer facilities, etc. are not particularly limited to those described above.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the management computer 12. In the figure, the management computer 12 has a cost table database 18, a cost table update unit 19, a transport route setting unit 20, and a transport control unit 21.

  The cost table database 18 stores and stores a transfer route cost table (transfer route cost table) as shown in FIG. 4 and a transfer facility cost table (transfer facility cost table) as shown in FIG. These transfer route cost table and transfer facility cost table relate to the facility layout as shown in FIG.

  In the transfer route cost table, the transfer source and transfer destination, and the equipment costs and transfer costs of multiple (in this case, 11) transfer facilities existing on the route from the transfer source to the transfer destination are registered in a list. Has been. The conveyance cost is a total value of the equipment costs of the respective conveyance facilities existing on the route from the conveyance source to the conveyance destination.

  In the transport route cost table shown in FIG. 4, for example, there are 24 routes in which the transport source is the work ST1 and the transport destination is the work ST3. Among them, the route No. 1 in the transport route cost table includes the operations ST1 to ST1 conveyor 2A (equipment No. 9), the tracked carriage No. 1 machine 5A (equipment No. 1), the ST11 conveyor 2C (equipment No. 14), Crane No. 1 6A (Equipment No. 3), ST13 Conveyor 2E (Equipment No. 16), Tracked Car No. 2 5B (Equipment No. 2), ST31 Conveyor 2K (Equipment No. 22), Vertical Conveyor No. 1 3A (Equipment No. 5), ST32 conveyor 2N (Equipment No. 23), automatic guided vehicle No. 1A 4A (Equipment No. 8), and ST3 conveyor 2Q (Equipment No. 11) to the operation ST3. In addition, () shows the equipment number in the conveyance equipment cost table shown in FIG.

  In the transfer facility cost table, a reference facility cost of each transfer facility, a weighted value of each transfer facility, and a current facility cost of each transfer facility are registered in a list. In the transport route cost table, the current equipment cost is registered as the equipment cost. The equipment number of each transfer equipment is determined in advance.

  The standard facility cost of the transport facility is a cost corresponding to the basic operation performance (drive speed or the like) of the transport facility. The cost here is mainly the time required for transport, but is the total transport capability including the number of packages that can be transported in one operation.

  The weighting value of the transfer facility is a value corresponding to the current operating status of the transfer facility. Normally, the weight value is set to “1”. When the corresponding transfer facility is in use or scheduled to be used, a value corresponding to the situation (for example, “5” during use, “10” during use) is set as the weighting value. Whether the transfer facility is in use can be determined from the monitoring information on the operation status of the transfer facility sent from the control panels 7 to 11 and the facility management data of the management computer 12. Whether or not the transfer facility is scheduled to be used is known from the facility management data of the management computer 12. In addition, when the corresponding transfer facility is out of order, a threshold value (for example, “101”) is set as a weight value. Whether or not the transport facility is in failure can be determined from the monitoring information on the operation status of the transport facility sent from the control panels 7 to 11 and the facility management data of the management computer 12.

  The current equipment cost of the transport equipment is obtained by multiplying the standard equipment cost by the weighted value. At this time, if the transportation facility is in use or is scheduled to be used, a transportation waiting time will occur in the transportation facility. High enough. In addition, since the transport facility is out of order and the threshold value is set as a weight value, the current facility cost is infinite (∞). In this way, the facility cost is weighted by the weight value.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the cost table updating unit 19 updates the weighted value and the current equipment cost in the transport equipment cost table, and each equipment cost and transport cost in the transport route cost table every predetermined time. The procedure of the cost table update process executed by the cost table update unit 19 is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, information on the operating status of each transfer facility is acquired from the monitoring data of the control panels 7 to 11 and the facility management data of the management computer 12 (step S101). Then, a weight value corresponding to the current operating status of each transfer facility is set in the transfer facility cost table (step S102). Subsequently, the current facility cost of each transport facility is calculated by multiplying the reference facility cost and the weighted value in each transport facility (step S103). Then, the current facility cost of each transport facility is set in the transport facility cost table and the transport route cost table (step S104).

  Subsequently, the transport cost of each route number is calculated by adding the current facility cost of each transport facility for each route number in the transport route cost table and calculating the total value (step S105). And the conveyance cost of each path | route No. is set to a conveyance path | route cost table (procedure S106). At this time, for example, when the equipment cost is infinite as in equipment No. 3 in the transport equipment cost table shown in FIG. 5, “unusable” is set as the transport cost (see FIG. 4).

  The conveyance path setting unit 20 selects one conveyance path candidate as a conveyance path from among a plurality of paths (conveyance path candidates) whose conveyance source and conveyance destination match. FIG. 7 shows the procedure of the transport route setting process executed by the transport route setting unit 20.

  In FIG. 7, first, the data of the transportation costs of a plurality of transportation route candidates whose transportation source and transportation destination match in the transportation route cost table is read (step S111). The transport source and the transport destination are set and input by the management computer 12, for example. Subsequently, a transport path candidate having the lowest transport cost is selected as a transport path from among a plurality of transport path candidates (step S112). For example, in the transfer route cost table shown in FIG. 4, route No. 6 is selected as the transfer route. Subsequently, the selected transfer route is sent to the transfer control unit 21 and a transfer instruction is given to the transfer control unit 21 (step S113).

  The conveyance control unit 21 sequentially controls the control panels 7 to 11 corresponding to a plurality of conveyance facilities existing on the conveyance path so as to perform automatic conveyance according to the conveyance path set by the conveyance path setting unit 20.

  In the above, the above steps S101 to S104 of the cost table updating unit 19 are based on the basic operation performance and the current operation status of each transfer device (conveyor 2, vertical transfer machine 3, automatic guided vehicle 4, tracked carriage 5 and crane 6). The equipment cost acquisition means for determining the current equipment cost of each transport device is configured based on the above. The above steps S105 and S106 of the cost table updating unit 19 constitute a transportation cost acquisition means for calculating the transportation cost of the transportation route candidate by calculating the total of the current equipment costs of the transportation devices existing on the transportation route candidate. The above steps S111 and S112 of the transport path setting unit 20 constitute a path determination unit that determines a transport path based on the transport cost of each transport path candidate.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the current equipment cost of the transport equipment obtained by multiplying the standard equipment cost according to the basic operation performance of the transport equipment and the weighted value according to the current operation status of the transport equipment. Is updated at any time, the total value of the current equipment costs of each transfer equipment is obtained for each route as the transfer cost, and the transfer route candidate having the minimum transfer cost among a plurality of transfer route candidates whose transfer source and transfer destination match. Is selected as the transport route. In this way, since the determination of the transfer path reflecting the current operation status of each transfer facility is performed, an optimal transfer path can be obtained between the transfer source and the transfer destination. As a result, it is possible to efficiently transport the package from the transport source to the transport destination in a short time.

  Further, when the management computer 12 determines the transport route, it suffices to select a transport route candidate that minimizes the transport cost from among a plurality of transport route candidates without performing any calculation process. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the time required for the conveyance path determination process and reduce the processing load.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the transfer route setting process executed by the transfer route setting unit 20 as another embodiment of the automatic transfer system according to the present invention. In the figure, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, after automatic conveyance is started by executing step S113, it is determined whether it is time to re-determine the conveyance route (step S114). The timing for re-determining the transport route includes, for example, the time when the package reaches the intermediate ST preset as the route re-determination point.

  When it is time to redetermine the transfer route, current facility cost data of a plurality of transfer route candidates whose intermediate ST conveyors and transfer destinations that are route redetermination points match in the transfer route cost table is read (step S115). ).

  Subsequently, by adding the current equipment cost of each transfer equipment existing between the intermediate ST conveyor and the transfer destination for each transfer path candidate, and calculating the total value, the intermediate transfer cost of each transfer path candidate is calculated. Calculate (step S116). Subsequently, a transport path candidate having the lowest midway transport cost among a plurality of transport path candidates is reselected as a new transport path (step S117). Subsequently, the reselected transport path is sent to the transport control unit 21, and a transport instruction is given to the transport control unit 21 (step S118).

  When it is determined in step S114 that it is not the time to re-determine the transport route, or after step S118 is executed, it is determined whether the package has been transported to the transport destination (procedure S119). When the parcel is transported to the transport destination, this process is terminated, and when the parcel is not transported to the transport destination, the process returns to step S114.

  In the above, steps S115 to S117 are calculated as the total of the current equipment costs of the transfer apparatus existing between the intermediate position and the transfer destination at the intermediate position of the transfer path determined by the route determination means. A route redetermining unit is provided for obtaining the midway conveyance cost and redeciding the conveyance route based on the midway conveyance cost of each conveyance route candidate.

  In this embodiment, after the transport operation is started according to the transport path determined first, the operation status of the transport equipment fluctuates, such as a malfunction occurring in the transport equipment existing on the transport path. Even in this case, since the transfer route is re-determined in the middle of transfer, it is possible to obtain an optimal transfer route that reflects the current operation status of each transfer facility until the transfer operation is completed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the control panels 7 to 11 and the management computer 12 as still another embodiment of the automatic conveyance system according to the present invention. In the figure, elements that are the same as or equivalent to those shown in FIG.

  In the figure, the cost table database 18 of the management computer 12 stores only the transport route cost table shown in FIG. The data of the transport equipment cost table shown in FIG. 5 is managed by the control panels 7-11.

  Specifically, the conveyor control panel 7 stores the cost data (reference equipment cost, weighted value, current equipment cost) of the conveyor 2 and the cost data update for updating the cost data of the conveyor 2 every predetermined time. Part 22. The vertical transfer machine control panel 8 includes a memory 23 that stores cost data of the vertical transfer machine 3 and a cost data update unit 24 that updates the cost data of the vertical transfer machine 3 every predetermined time. The automatic guided vehicle control panel 9 includes a memory 25 that stores cost data of the automatic guided vehicle 4 and a cost data update unit 26 that updates the cost data of the automatic guided vehicle 4 every predetermined time. The tracked vehicle control panel 10 includes a memory 27 that stores the cost data of the tracked vehicle 5 and a cost data update unit 28 that updates the cost data of the tracked vehicle 5 every predetermined time. The crane control panel 11 includes a memory 29 that stores the cost data of the crane 6 and a cost data update unit 30 that updates the cost data of the crane 6 every predetermined time.

  The procedure of the cost data update process executed by the cost data update unit 22 of the conveyor control panel 7 is shown in FIG. The processing by the cost data updating units 24, 26, 28, and 30 of other transport facilities is executed in the same manner. The equipment management data of the management computer 12 is always sent to the control panels 7-11.

  In FIG. 10, first, a weight value corresponding to the current operation status of the conveyor 2 is stored in the memory 21 (step S121). Subsequently, the current facility cost of the conveyor 2 is calculated by multiplying the reference facility cost of the conveyor 2 stored in advance in the memory 21 by the weighted value of the conveyor 2 (step S122). And the present installation cost of the conveyor 2 is memorize | stored in the memory 21 (procedure S123). Further, data on the current equipment cost of the conveyor 2 is transmitted to the management computer 12 (step S124).

  The management computer 12 has a cost table update unit 31 instead of the cost table update unit 19 in the above embodiment. The procedure of the cost table update process executed by the cost table update unit 31 is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, first, data on the current equipment cost of the transport equipment sent from the control panels 7 to 11 is received (step S131). Subsequently, the current equipment cost of the transport equipment is set in the transport equipment cost table (step S132). Subsequently, the transport cost of each route number is calculated by adding the current facility cost of each transport facility for each route number in the transport route cost table and calculating the total value (step S133). And the conveyance cost of each path | route No. is set to a conveyance path | route cost table (procedure S134).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the control equipment 7 to 11 that monitors the operation status of the transport equipment in real time manages the reference equipment cost, weight value, and current equipment cost of the transport equipment. It is possible to determine the optimum transport route reflecting the load. Further, since the management computer 12 does not have to manage the transport equipment cost table, the processing load on the management computer 12 can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the reference equipment cost in the transport equipment cost table is a fixed value. The value may be changed.

  In the above embodiment, a conveyor, a vertical transfer machine, an automatic guided vehicle, a tracked carriage, and a crane are used as the automatic transfer facility. However, the present invention can also be applied to an automatic transfer system including other automatic transfer facilities. Needless to say.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic conveyance system, 2 ... Conveyor (conveyance apparatus), 3 ... Vertical conveyance machine (conveyance apparatus), 4 ... Unmanned conveyance vehicle (conveyance apparatus), 5 ... Tracked carriage (conveyance apparatus), 6 ... Crane (conveyance apparatus) ), 7 ... Conveyor control panel (drive control device), 8 ... Vertical conveyor control panel (drive control device), 9 ... Automatic guided vehicle control panel (drive control device), 10 ... Tracked vehicle control panel (drive control device) , 11 ... Crane control panel (drive control device), 12 ... Management computer, 19 ... Cost table update unit (equipment cost acquisition means, transfer cost acquisition means), 20 ... Transfer route setting part (route determination means, route redetermination) Means), 22, 24, 26, 28, 30... Cost data update unit (equipment cost acquisition means), 31... Cost table update unit (conveyance cost acquisition means).

Claims (5)

In a transport route determination method for determining a transport route from among a plurality of transport route candidates whose transport source and transport destination match,
Based on the basic operation performance and the current operation status of a plurality of transfer devices arranged between the transfer source and the transfer destination, obtaining the current equipment cost of each of the transfer devices;
Calculating the total transportation cost of the transportation device existing on the transportation route candidate, thereby obtaining the transportation cost of the transportation route candidate;
And determining the transport path based on the transport cost of each transport path candidate. A plurality of transport devices having a plurality of transport devices arranged between a transport source and a transport destination and a plurality of drive control devices for individually controlling the respective transport devices, wherein the transport source and the transport destination coincide with each other; In an automatic transfer system that determines a transfer route from among route candidates and performs automatic transfer according to the transfer route,
Facility cost acquisition means for determining the current facility cost of each of the transport devices based on the basic operation performance and the current operating status of each of the transport devices;
A transport cost acquisition means for calculating a transport cost of the transport path candidate by calculating a total of the current equipment costs of the transport apparatus existing on the transport path candidate;
An automatic transfer system comprising: a route determination unit that determines the transfer route based on a transfer cost of each of the transfer route candidates.   The facility cost acquisition means obtains the current facility cost of the transport device by multiplying a standard facility cost according to the basic operation performance of the transport device and a weighted value according to the current operation status of the transport device. The automatic conveyance system according to claim 2 characterized by things.   Midway transportation of the transportation path candidate by calculating the total of the current equipment costs of the transportation apparatus existing between the middle position and the transportation destination at the middle position of the transportation path determined by the path determination means 4. The automatic transfer system according to claim 2, further comprising route re-determining means for obtaining a cost and re-determining the transfer route based on the intermediate transfer cost of each of the transfer route candidates.   The automatic conveyance system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the facility cost acquisition means is provided in each of the drive control devices.

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