Method and control unit for providing transport data for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment, and production environment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing transport data (8) to control the transport of goods in a production environment (1), having the following steps to achieve more flexible and reliable logistics: - determining occupancy data (5) based on sensor data of a sensor unit (4) at a production unit (2), wherein the occupancy data relates to the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet (3) of the production unit (2) in the production environment (1) for a respective stored component, - determining component data (6) which specify which components are required at the production unit (2) for the production order assigned to the production unit (2), - determining procurement data (7) for the components to be installed, wherein the procurement data (7) specify how long the transport of a respective one of the components to be installed from the respective storage location to the production unit (2) is expected to take, - determining transport data (8) based on the occupancy data (5), the component data (6) and the procurement data (7), wherein the transport data (8) describe the transports to be carried out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing transport data for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a control unit for providing such transport data. Other aspects of the present application relate to a production environment having such a control unit, as well as a computer program and a storage medium for executing the method. Background Art

[0002] Current inventory management in a warehouse management system within the scope of a production environment can lead to a significant deviation between the actual inventory and the assumed inventory of components. The production environment can have production units or production islands and / or storage locations for storing components that will be further processed in the production units or production islands later. Such deviations can particularly occur on-site in the production units or production islands. Thus, on the one hand, this can lead to an overstock of components, and on the other hand, due to the lack of components, there will be idle time in the corresponding production islands. In addition, the exact location of raw materials or semi-finished products is unknown. Nowadays, the supply algorithms in such management systems are rigid and cannot self-regulate. This results in high maintenance costs and high complexity during operation. In addition, flexible automation of logistics in the sense of Industry 4.0 is not feasible. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to achieve more flexible and / or more reliable logistics in a production environment.

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for providing transport data for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment, comprising the following steps:

[0005] - Determining occupancy data based on sensor data from a sensor unit at a production unit, wherein the occupancy data relates to the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet of the production unit in the production environment for the correspondingly stored components,

[0006] - Determining component data, wherein the component data indicates which components are required at the production unit for a production order assigned to the production unit,

[0007] - Determining procurement data for the components to be installed, wherein the procurement data indicates how long the transport of a corresponding component among the components to be installed from a corresponding storage location to the production unit is expected to take,

[0008] - Determining transport data based on the occupancy data, the component data, and the procurement data, wherein the transport data describes the transport to be performed.

[0009] Through the mentioned data (occupation data, component data, and procurement data), it is possible to comprehensively understand the occupation status of each production unit, when the production unit requires which components, and how long their transportation takes. Based on this (input) data, for example, by means of traditional optimization algorithms (or functions based on such optimization algorithms, especially machine-executable functions), the transportation data can determine which (which) occupation data, component data, and procurement data are included as input data and output the transportation data.

[0010] The production environment can be an area, such as a factory, in which at least one production unit is arranged, but preferably multiple production units. One or more production units can also be referred to as production islands. In particular, it is proposed that multiple production units or a single production unit can implement one or more production steps in product manufacturing or are set up to perform one or more production steps. For example, it can be proposed that the product passes through different production units in sequence, where different production steps for manufacturing the product are sequentially executed on different production units. In other words, in this example, the production unit can be designed to manufacture or refine the product via multiple intermediate steps or intermediate products or raw materials or semi-finished products. Alternatively or additionally, multiple production units can be set up to perform one or more identical production steps. For example, if a single production step is particularly time-consuming compared to other production steps, this can be very useful. In this way, delays in the entire production can be avoided by parallel execution of these particularly time-consuming production steps by multiple production units. In particular, each production unit has a machine or device that is designed to perform the production steps assigned to the production unit.

[0011] For example, occupation data can be derived from sensor data, where the sensor data can relate to the occupation status of at least one goods inlet of the production unit. For example, in an additional method step, especially before determining the occupation data, the sensor data can be received by a sensor unit. In another equally optional method step, the sensor data can be recorded by means of the sensor unit. In particular, the sensor unit is arranged at the production unit. In particular, the sensor unit can have multiple sensors.

[0012] The goods inlet can be designed as a so-called goods passage. In particular, it is proposed that the goods inlet has a plurality of goods inlet positions. Each goods inlet position can be designed to receive a corresponding predetermined number of stored components. Preferably, it is proposed that each goods inlet position is designed to exactly accommodate or store one transport container for the components. Each goods inlet position can have a corresponding sensor of the sensor unit. In this way, the sensor data can indicate which of the goods inlet positions in the goods inlet provide stored components or the corresponding transport containers. In other words, the sensor data can indicate or characterize the occupancy status of each goods inlet position. The production unit preferably has a plurality of goods inlets or goods passages. Here, in particular, it is proposed that each goods inlet is equipped with different components during operation. In particular, it can be proposed that only the same components are stored or accommodated at the corresponding goods inlet. In this way, the components required by the production unit can be distributed to a plurality of goods inlets, and each goods inlet contains only the same components. This is particularly meaningful when the same product or intermediate product or raw material or semi-finished product is continuously manufactured from components at the production unit multiple times. Alternatively, it can be proposed that in the sequential operation of the production unit, that is, when different products or intermediate products or raw materials or semi-finished products are successively manufactured, different components are temporarily stored in the corresponding goods inlets in sequence.

[0013] The component data can indicate which components are required at the production unit to execute the production order assigned to the production unit. Here, the production order can include one or more production steps to be designed or set for the production unit to execute. In one or more production steps preset by the production order, products or intermediate products can be manufactured or refined with the help of components. Here, one or more basic components can also be intermediate products or raw materials or semi-finished products. Here, other examples of components can be, for example, screws, adhesives or any other such auxiliary tools. For example, the component data can be retrieved from a product database. In this case, the respective production steps and components required for the product to be manufactured can be stored in the product database. For example, the required components can be stored as part of the production order in the order memory of the production unit. This order memory can be specifically designed for storing production orders.

[0014] The procurement data indicates how long it takes to transport a specific component to be installed from a specific storage location to the production unit. In other words, as part of the procurement data, it can be determined how long it is expected to take to transport the corresponding component, for example, the component required at the production unit corresponding to the component data, from the corresponding storage location of the corresponding component to the production unit. The determination of the procurement data or the transport duration can be achieved, for example, based on a user input that includes a value for the transport duration, based on the distance between the production unit and the storage location, and / or based on the history of past transports between the corresponding storage location and the production unit.

[0015] The determination of transport data is now achieved based on occupancy data, component data, and procurement data. In other words, the transport data can describe or determine the transport to be performed based on occupancy data, component data, and / or procurement data. In other words, the transport to be performed for one or more components can be determined based on the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet of the production unit, the components required for the corresponding production order, and the expected duration of the transport. In this way, a highly flexible transport plan can be executed based on the transport data. In addition, based on the occupancy data, the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet or the components stored at the goods inlet is preferably always known. In this way, deviations between the actual inventory and the virtual inventory of the components can be avoided.

[0016] According to an improved solution, it is proposed that in an additional method step, the transport data is transmitted to a transport system, in particular to a plurality of driverless transport vehicles. For example, the transport data is transmitted to the goods inlet via a wired or wireless connection, in particular to a plurality of driverless transport vehicles. Such a wireless connection can in particular be achieved via a cellular network, Bluetooth, WLAN or WiFi or any other wireless connection. By transmitting the transport data, the transport system, in particular a plurality of driverless transport vehicles, can be controlled. In particular, the transport of the components achieved by the transport system, in particular a plurality of driverless vehicles, is controlled with the aid of the transport data. In other words, based on the transport data, the transport of the components to be installed from the respective storage location to the production unit or at least one goods inlet is preset or commanded via the transport system, in particular a plurality of driverless transport vehicles. Optionally, based on the transport data, the transport of the components to be installed via the transport system, in particular a plurality of driverless vehicles, can be understood as part of the claimed method. In this case, the method can alternatively be referred to as a method for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment. In other words, the present invention also relates to such a method for controlling the transport of goods or for transporting components in a production environment.

[0017] According to an improved solution, the production cycle is determined based on the production order assigned to the production unit, and the determination of the transport data is additionally implemented based on this production cycle. The production cycle can indicate how long it may take or on average takes for the production unit to process the assigned production order. In particular, the production cycle can specify a cycle during which the production steps preset by the production order are performed on the intermediate product, raw material or semi-finished product. For example, the production cycle indicates how long it takes to manufacture the intermediate product or semi-finished product at the production unit according to the production order. Therefore, the production cycle can indicate the cycle duration during which the intermediate product or semi-finished product is manufactured at the production unit according to the production unit. In this way, the transport data can be determined based on the duration of the corresponding execution of the production order. Thereby, based on the production cycle, it can be ensured that there are always sufficient components at the production unit, and production through the production unit does not have to be suspended due to lack of components.

[0018] According to an improved solution, the remaining validity period of the components stored at the production unit is determined based on the production cycle, component data and occupancy data, and at the time point when the remaining validity period is greater than the time period determined by the production cycle, the transport to be executed is commanded according to the transport data. In other words, taking into account the production cycle and component data, the remaining validity period can indicate how long the components stored in the production unit or at least one goods inlet of the production unit are sufficient to execute the production order. This can be performed independently of each other for all types of components. For example, according to the consumption preset by the component data for each production cycle, it is determined for all different types of components how many production cycles are still feasible for the stored components. Multiplying this by the time period determined by the production cycle can yield the remaining validity period. The time period determined by the production cycle is in particular based on the cycle duration or duration of each manufactured intermediate product or semi-finished product of the production cycle. By commanding or determining the transport at the time point when the remaining validity period is greater than the time period determined by the production cycle with the aid of the transport data, it is ensured that there are always sufficient components present or stored to maintain production or execute the production order at the production unit.

[0019] According to an improved solution, for the coordinate system of the production environment, clear coordinates are correspondingly assigned to the corresponding storage locations and / or production units. In another design solution, it can be proposed that each goods inlet or each goods passage of the production unit is assigned corresponding clear coordinates. The respective coordinates mentioned can be assigned according to user input. In this way, each storage location and / or each production unit and / or each goods inlet has clear coordinates, which can overall characterize the production environment. Especially in the case of converting the production environment, only the coordinates need to be updated correspondingly to simplify the re-matching of the converted production environment. Each goods inlet or goods passage can be individually addressed by the clear coordinates of the corresponding goods inlet or goods passage. On the one hand, this improves flexibility, and on the other hand, the accuracy of transportation can be achieved.

[0020] According to an improved solution, the determination of occupancy data includes determining the number of transport containers located in at least one goods inlet based on sensor data and multiplying the number of the transport containers by a predetermined value. For different types or categories of components, the predetermined value can be different. In particular, it is proposed that the transport containers delivered to the production unit always contain a quantity of components corresponding to the predetermined value. If the predetermined values for different types of components are different, the corresponding transport containers contain as many components as the specific predetermined value preset for the corresponding type of component. In this way, the number of components can be determined in a simple manner from the number of transport containers. The number of components located in the goods inlet correspondingly corresponds to the number of transport containers located in the corresponding goods inlet multiplied by the corresponding predetermined value. In this way, the counting of components is dispensed with, because the number of components can always be calculated from the sensor data or occupancy data. This can significantly simplify storage.

[0021] According to an improved solution, the corresponding content of the transport containers located in at least one goods inlet or on the goods passage is determined based on the coordinates of the corresponding goods inlet. In other words, each goods inlet of the production unit is assigned a corresponding type of component or a specific component. Then the assigned component or the assigned component type can be retrieved based on the coordinates of the corresponding goods inlet. For example, the component or component type assigned to the corresponding goods inlet is stored in the corresponding component database. In this way, the standardization of transport containers is unnecessary. Instead, the content of the corresponding transport containers can be inferred only based on the coordinates of the corresponding goods inlet where the transport containers are located or through which the transport containers are on the way. This significantly simplifies the storage system.

[0022] According to an improved solution, the occupancy data and / or the sensor data also relate to the occupancy status of at least one goods exit of the production unit. In other words, the occupancy status of the goods exit can be determined as part of the sensor data and / or the occupancy data. Herein, in particular, it is possible to determine whether and / or how much of the goods exit position of the goods exit is occupied or free based on the sensor data that is part of the occupancy data. In this way, the occupancy situation of the goods exit is always known. Based on the occupancy situation of the goods exit, it is ensured that the transport container is transported away in time before it is emptied. In this way, it is possible to avoid the goods exit being too full.

[0023] According to an improved solution, the determination of the procurement data is carried out at least based on the orientation of the corresponding storage location and the orientation of the production unit. In particular, it is possible to derive the possible duration required to transport a corresponding one of the components to be installed from the corresponding storage location to the production unit based on the respective positions of the storage location and the production unit. In particular, the relative position between the corresponding storage location and the production unit can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to determine a path within the production environment along which the transport can take place. Then, the transport duration can be determined by means of an average speed, for example an average value from the past or a predetermined value of the average speed.

[0024] Alternative or additional options for determining the duration of the procurement data or the transport are, for example: deriving the duration from a user input or taking an average of how long previous transports (especially of the same component) took.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to a control unit for providing transport data for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment. The control unit has:

[0026] - an occupancy determination data unit, which is designed to determine occupancy data based on the sensor data of the sensor unit of the production unit, the occupancy data relating to the occupancy status of at least one goods entrance of the production unit in the production environment for the components stored therein;

[0027] - a component data determination unit, which is designed to determine component data, wherein the component data indicates which components are required at the production unit for the production order assigned to the production unit;

[0028] - a procurement data determination unit, which is designed to determine the procurement data of the components to be installed, wherein the procurement data indicates how long the transport of a corresponding one of the components to be installed from the corresponding storage location to the production unit is expected to take; and

[0029] - a transport data determination unit, which is designed to determine transport data based on the occupancy data, the component data and the procurement data, wherein the transport data describes the transport to be carried out.

[0030] In particular, the control unit is arranged to perform a method according to the invention for providing transport data according to one or more of the embodiments described in the present application. For this reason, all improvements and their advantages disclosed with respect to the method according to the invention also apply to the control unit according to the invention, even if they are not repeated here for reasons of brevity.

[0031] Optionally, the control unit may also have an output interface for outputting transport data. In particular, the output interface is designed to transmit the transport data to the transport system. For example, the output interface may have a wireless module by means of which the output interface is designed to transmit the transport data to a plurality of driverless transport vehicles.

[0032] The control unit may have a data processing device or a processor device which is arranged to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The processor device may for example have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or at least one DSP (digital signal processor). In addition, the processor device may have program code means which are arranged to perform an embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code means may be stored in the data memory of the processor device.

[0033] A third aspect of the invention relates to a production environment having a control unit according to the invention and a production unit in which a sensor unit is arranged, wherein the sensor unit is designed to detect sensor data relating to the occupancy state of at least one goods inlet. In other words, the sensor unit is part of the production environment according to the invention. In particular, the production environment according to the invention has a plurality of production units. Here, each production unit may have a corresponding transmitting unit.

[0034] In particular, the production environment is arranged to perform the method according to the invention for providing transport data according to one or more of the embodiments described in the present application. For this reason, all improvements and their advantages disclosed with respect to the method according to the invention also apply to the production environment according to the invention, even if they are not repeated here for reasons of brevity.

[0035] The invention also includes a computer program that can be directly loaded into the memory of the control unit according to the invention, which has program code components that, when the program is executed in the control unit, perform the steps of the method according to the invention. When the computer program according to the invention is executed in the control unit, the computer program according to the invention implements the method according to the invention on the control unit according to the invention. Accordingly, the invention also includes a storage medium on which electronically readable control information is stored, the storage medium at least including the computer program mentioned and being designed such that when the storage medium is used in the control unit according to the invention, the method according to the invention is executed. For example, the storage medium can be arranged to store data in digital or analog form. The storage medium can be write-once or rewritable multiple times, volatile or non-volatile.

[0036] The method according to the invention and / or the computer program according to the invention can be provided by the control unit according to the invention, a single computer, the combination of multiple computers, and / or via a server device or a server, respectively. In particular, provision by the cloud is feasible. Description of the Drawings

[0037] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the features shown in the following drawing descriptions or individually in the drawings also apply to improvements of the method according to the invention, the control unit according to the invention, or the production environment according to the invention. Shown in the figures are:

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic top view shows an overview of a production environment with a plurality of production units;

[0039] Figure 2 A flowchart shows an embodiment of a method for providing transport data for controlling the transport of goods;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram shows a control unit for executing the method;

[0041] Figure 4 A flowchart shows a second embodiment of the method; and

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart shows a third embodiment of the method. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0043] Figure 1Fig. 0 shows a schematic top view of a production environment 1 having a large number of production units 2. The production units 2 are arranged to perform one or more respective production steps in product manufacturing. For example, it can be assumed that the product passes through different production units 2 successively during its manufacturing process, where different production steps for manufacturing the product are continuously performed on different production units 2. In other words, in this example, the production units 2 can be designed to manufacture or refine the product via a plurality of intermediate steps or intermediate products or raw materials or semi-finished products. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of production units 2 can be provided to perform one or more identical production steps. For example, this can be meaningful if a single production step is particularly time-consuming compared to other production steps. The production units 2 can each be referred to as production islands.

[0044] To ensure the processing of products, raw materials (such as screws or accessories) and intermediate products or raw materials or semi-finished products must be transported between the production units 2 and between the production units 2 and a warehouse having a large number of storage locations. For the sake of simplicity, in the context of this application, components are always mentioned, and these components should include all possible types of components, namely original components and intermediate products or original products or semi-finished products. The transportation of the components is centrally controlled by a control unit 9. In other words, the control unit 9 is designed to control the goods transportation in the production environment 1 or to provide corresponding transportation data for controlling the goods transportation.

[0045] To accommodate the components, each production unit 2 has at least one goods inlet 3 or goods passage 3. Here, each goods inlet 3 or goods passage 3 has a plurality of goods inlet positions, where only one transport container for the components can be stored at each goods inlet position. In addition, each production unit 2 or each goods passage 3 has a corresponding sensor unit 4. The sensor unit 4 is designed to provide sensor data regarding the occupancy status of the goods passage 3. In particular, the sensor data can indicate which goods passages 3 or which goods inlet positions are occupied. For example, the sensor unit 4 can have a large number of sensors, and a corresponding sensor is arranged at each goods inlet position. Each sensor can provide sensor data regarding whether the corresponding goods inlet position is occupied or vacant by the transport container. For this purpose, each sensor can be designed, for example, as a corresponding pressure sensor, grating, switch triggerable by the transport container, or any other sensor.

[0046] In summary, the sensor data can thus indicate which goods passages 3 or which goods inlet positions are occupied by the transport containers.

[0047] In Figure 1It is also shown that coordinate 29 is assigned to production environment 1. Similarly, corresponding addresses are assigned to goods passageways 3. In this way, the goods passageways 3 are clearly determined regarding their placement within production environment 1 by coordinate 29 and additionally by their respective addresses. For example, the goods passageway 3 with address 9020 is at coordinate Q8, and the goods passageway 3 with address 9021 is at coordinate Q14. Through the corresponding assignment of coordinate 29, simple planning within production environment 1 is feasible. Even when production environment 1 changes or when production unit 2 adapts to the changed operations, the changed production environment can be mapped in a simple manner by adjusting coordinate 29. Additionally, corresponding types of transport units (RTZ or AGV) of the transport system and corresponding coordinates can be assigned to each goods passageway 3 according to allocation table 18.

[0048] Figure 2 A flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for providing transport data (steps S1 to S4) or a method for controlling goods transport (steps S1 to S5) is shown. In step S1, the determination of occupancy data 5 is implemented, which relates to the occupancy status of the goods passageways 3 of production unit 2 in production environment 1 for the correspondingly stored components. In other words, the occupancy data represents how many components are stored in the goods passageways 3 of production unit 2.

[0049] In the current case, the occupancy data is derived from sensor data. Specifically, the occupancy data can be deduced from the occupancy situation at the goods entry location. Each goods passageway 3 is specifically assigned to exactly one component or one type of component. Additionally, it can be proposed that the same number of components is always arranged in a standard layout or transported within one transport container. In other words, for transport in a transport container, a predetermined number of components is always arranged in the corresponding transport container. Here, the predetermined number can be specific to a determined component or component type. For example, it can be proposed that ten identical screws are always transported within one transport container. In this way, the number of components in goods passageway 3 can be calculated in a simple manner by multiplying the number of transport containers (which can be seen from the sensor data) by the predetermined number of each component.

[0050] In step S2, component data 6 is determined, where the component data 6 indicates which components are required at the production unit 2 for the production order assigned to the production unit 2. In other words, in step S2, it is determined which components, such as which raw components and / or intermediate products, need to be further processed at the corresponding production unit 2 within the scope of the production order. For example, this can be retrieved from the corresponding database. For example, the required components can be stored as part of the production order in the order memory of the corresponding production unit 2. The order memory can be specifically designed for storing production orders. Alternatively or additionally, it can be proposed to retrieve the required components from the product database, where, in particular, multiple corresponding data sets for different products are stored in the product database. Alternatively or additionally, it is quite understandable that the required components can be derived from user input. For such user input, the corresponding production unit 2 can have a corresponding user interface, such as a mouse, keyboard, and / or screen.

[0051] The production cycle can be determined as part of the component data. The production cycle can represent the period or frequency during which the production order is or will be executed on the corresponding production unit 2. The production cycle can be determined, for example, based on user input and / or based on the product database.

[0052] The goods aisle 3 can be assigned a corresponding component or a corresponding type of component according to its unambiguous address (such as 9020 or 9021). In other words, only components of the same type can be stored or transported within the goods aisle 3. The assignment of components to the goods aisle 3 is achieved through the unambiguous address of the goods aisle 3. The corresponding assignment relationship can be stored in the database of the control unit 9.

[0053] In step S3, the procurement data 7 of the components to be installed is determined. The procurement data 7 indicates how long it takes to deliver the corresponding components to one of the production units 2. Here, the procurement data 7 can indicate this with respect to the unambiguous address of the goods aisle 3 assigned to the corresponding component. In other words, the procurement data 7 can indicate how long the transportation of the components assigned to the corresponding goods inlet 3 from the corresponding storage location in the external warehouse to the corresponding goods aisle 3 or production unit 2 is expected to take. For example, the procurement data 7 indicates how long it takes to provide a goods inlet with the unambiguous address 9019 with the assigned components from the corresponding storage location where the assigned components are stored in the external warehouse.

[0054] In step S4, transport data 8 is determined. The transport data 8 is used to control the goods transport in the production environment 1. For example, the transport data 8 includes a schedule or flow chart of the transport to be performed in the production environment 1. In particular, the transport to be performed can be characterized by the explicit address and / or its coordinates and time stamp of the goods passage 3. In other words, the transport data can illustrate when the goods entry in the production environment 1 performs which transports from or to which goods passages 3. This is achieved based on the occupancy data 5, the component data 6, and the procurement data 7. Through the mentioned data, it is generally possible to know which components are needed at each production unit 2 at what time and how long their transport takes. In this way, it can be ensured that the transport starts in a timely manner accordingly, so that the corresponding components are provided before they are used up at the production unit 2. In this way, production losses or production stoppages can be reduced.

[0055] In an optional step S5, the transport system is controlled according to the transport data 8, which particularly includes a plurality of driverless transport vehicles. In other words, in step S5, the transport of the components is preset according to the transport data 8. During step S5, the transport data 8 can be transmitted to, for example, the transport system, particularly a plurality of driverless transport vehicles. For example, the driverless transport vehicles are controlled according to a schedule or flow chart. Alternatively, it can be proposed that the driverless transport vehicles are designed to autonomously perform the transport of the components according to the transport data 8.

[0056] Figure 3 A control unit 9 is shown in an extremely schematic block diagram. In the present case, the control unit 9 has an occupancy determination data unit 10, which is designed to determine the occupancy data 5. In particular, the occupancy determination data unit 10 is designed to perform the method step S1. In the present case, the control unit 9 has a component data determination unit 11, which is designed to determine the component data 6. In particular, the component data determination unit 11 is designed to perform the method step S2. In addition, the control unit 9 in the present case has a procurement data determination unit 12, which is designed to determine the procurement data 7. In particular, the procurement data determination unit 12 is designed to perform the method step S3. In addition, in the present case, the control unit 9 has a transport data determination unit 13, which is designed to determine the transport data 8 based on the occupancy data 5, the component data 6, and the procurement data 7. The transport data determination unit 13 is particularly designed to perform the method step S4. In addition, the control unit 9 in this example has an output interface 14, where the output interface 14 has a wireless module in this example. The output interface 14 is particularly designed to transmit the transport data 8 to the transport system, particularly the driverless transport vehicles, and / or to control the transport system, particularly the driverless transport vehicles, according to the transport data 8.

[0057] The control unit 9 can have a data processing device or a processor device. For example, the data processing device and / or the processor device implement the occupancy determination data unit 10, the component data determination unit 11, the procurement data determination unit 12, and / or the transport data determination unit 13. The processor device can, for example, have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or at least one DSP (digital signal processor). In addition, the processor device can have a program code component, which is configured to, when the program code component is executed by the processor device, execute an embodiment of a method for providing transport data and / or for controlling the goods transport in the production environment 1. The program code component can be stored in the data memory of the processor device.

[0058] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the method is shown. The aim of the method is to create a picking order 37. The picking order 37 can correspond to the transport data 8. The input variables used are described as follows:

[0059] - The address 20 of the destination, in particular the unambiguous address of the respective goods aisle 3, for example the goods aisle 3 with the address 9021;

[0060] - The exit sensor 21 and / or the entry sensor 22 of the sensor unit 4, where the exit sensor 21 is arranged at the goods aisle 3 used as an exit, and the entry sensor 22 is arranged at the goods aisle 3 used as a goods entry; as described above, the exit sensor 21 and the entry sensor 22 each contribute to the sensor data of the sensor unit 4;

[0061] - The maximum size 23 or the maximum number of transport containers, which can be arranged in the respective goods aisle 3;

[0062] - The production cycle or cycle time 24, which specifies the cycle duration or frequency of the production of the intermediate product;

[0063] - The reorder time 25, which in particular corresponds to the duration of the transport and which is part of the procurement data 7;

[0064] - The number of components 26 in the transport container, which in particular corresponds to the above-mentioned predetermined value of the components per transport container, where the number of components 26 per transport container is specific and constant, in particular for each component or each component type.

[0065] In step 30, the current number of transport containers in the respective goods aisle 3 is determined. This is achieved based on sensor data or data from the exit sensor 21 and / or the entry sensor 22. Additionally, in step 32, the maximum number 32 of transport containers in the respective goods aisle 3 and / or the number 32 of free positions for transport containers is determined. In particular, the number 32 of free positions indicates how many free goods entry positions for transport containers the respective goods aisle 3 still has. Thus, the number 32 corresponds to the maximum number of transport containers that the respective goods aisle 3 can currently accommodate in addition to the existing transport containers.

[0066] In step 31, based on the number of components of each transport container 26 or a predetermined value, the reorder time 25 or procurement data 7, and the production cycle or cycle time 24, the number of required transport containers related to the production order of the respective production unit 2 is determined. In particular, this is achieved in parallel for all different types of components required. In step 33, it is compared with the current number determined in step 30. As a result of step 33, it is determined how many more transport containers with components are required in addition to the transport containers present at the production unit 2 or in the goods aisle 3 and must be transported from the warehouse to the goods aisle 3 or to the production unit 2. This can be referred to as the number of transport containers to be transported. In an optional step 34, a user input can be received. Depending on the user input, the number of transport containers to be transported can be adjusted according to changing requirements.

[0067] In step 35, a sanity check is performed. In the scope of the sanity check, for example, it can be checked whether the respective goods aisle 3 can accommodate the number of transport containers to be transported. In case of an error or in case of lack of sanity, an error message 36 can be output. Otherwise, based on the number of transport containers to be transported and the destination address (such as the address of goods aisle 9021), a picking order 37 is created.

[0068] Finally, Figure 5 the intelligent removal of empty transport containers from the production unit 2 or its goods aisle 3 is shown. The input variables used are also briefly described here:

[0069] - The exit sensor 41 and / or the entry sensor 42 of the sensor unit 4, where the sensor data relates to the number of empty transport containers at the respective goods aisle 3 or the respective production unit 2;

[0070] - The production cycle or cycle time 24;

[0071] - The standard processing time 43, which is in particular a preset average value for processing or removing empty transport containers;

[0072] - The maximum size 44 of the processing aisle;

[0073] - The address 45 of the destination, in particular an explicit address for handling empty transport containers, preferably an explicit address with respect to the coordinates 19 of the production environment 1; and

[0074] - The category of the respective transport container to be processed, for example it can be a box or a pallet.

[0075] In step 50, the number of empty transport containers in the respective goods aisle 3 is calculated, in particular based on sensor data from the exit sensor 41 and / or the entry sensor 42. In step 51, the dynamic processing time is calculated dynamically based on the standard processing time 43, the cycle time 24 and the entry sensor 42. A transport order for removing the empty transport containers can be created in step 52 based on the number of empty transport containers and the dynamic processing time. In particular, this transport order can be part of the transport data 8. In other words, the transport order for removing the empty transport containers contributes to the transport data 8. In this way, the removal of the empty transport containers can be integrated, for example, into the schedule or flow chart of the transport data 8. With the aid of the common transport data 8, components and empty transport containers can be transported in a targeted manner. This can be transmitted to the transport system in step 53.

Claims

1. A method for providing transportation data (8) for controlling the transportation of goods in a production environment (1), the method comprising the following steps: - Determining occupancy data (5) based on sensor data of a sensor unit (4) at a production unit (2), wherein, the occupancy data (5) relates to the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet (3) of the production unit (2) in the production environment (1) having components with corresponding storage; - Determining component data (6), wherein the component data (6) indicates which components are required at the production unit (2) for a production order assigned to the production unit (2); - Determining procurement data (7) for the components to be installed, wherein the procurement data (7) indicates how long the transportation of a corresponding one of the components to be installed and required at the production unit (2) according to the component data from a corresponding storage location to the production unit (2) is expected to take; wherein the procurement data (7) is determined based on the orientation of the corresponding storage location and the orientation of the production unit (2); - Determining transportation data (8) based on the occupancy data (5), the component data (6) and the procurement data (7), wherein the transportation data (8) is determined by means of an optimization algorithm, wherein the optimization algorithm receives the occupancy data (5), the component data (6) and the procurement data (7) as input data and outputs the transportation data (8), wherein the transportation data (8) indicates the transportation to be performed, - Transmitting the transportation data (8) to a transportation system for controlling the transportation of components by means of the transportation data (8).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the transportation data (8) is transmitted to a plurality of driverless transport vehicles.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, a production cycle (24) is determined according to the production order assigned to the production unit (2), and the transportation data (8) is also determined according to the production cycle (24).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, a remaining validity period of the components stored at the production unit (2) is determined according to the production cycle (24), the component data (6) and the occupancy data (5), and at a time point when the remaining validity period is greater than a time period determined by the production cycle (24), a command is issued for the transportation to be performed according to the transportation data (8).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with reference to the coordinate system of the production environment (1), distinct coordinates (19) are correspondingly assigned to the corresponding storage location and / or the production unit (2).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the determination of the occupancy data (5) includes: determining the number of transport containers located in the at least one goods inlet (3) based on the sensor data and multiplying the number of transport containers by a predetermined value.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the corresponding content of the transport container located in or on the transport route to the at least one goods inlet (3) is determined according to the coordinates of the corresponding goods inlet (3).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the occupancy data (5) and / or the sensor data further relate to the occupancy status of at least one goods outlet of the production unit (2).

9. A control unit (9) for providing transport data (8) for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment (1), the control unit having: - an occupancy determination data unit (10) designed to determine occupancy data (5) according to sensor data of a sensor unit (4) of a production unit (2), the occupancy data relating to the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet (3) of the production unit (2) in the production environment (1) with corresponding stored components; - a component data determination unit (11) designed to determine component data (6), wherein the component data (6) indicates which components are required at the production unit (2) for a production order assigned to the production unit (2); - a procurement data determination unit (12) designed to determine procurement data (7) for the components to be installed, wherein the procurement data indicates how long the transport of a corresponding one of the components to be installed and required at the production unit (2) according to the component data is expected to take from the corresponding storage location to the production unit (2); wherein the procurement data (7) is determined according to the orientation of the corresponding storage location and the orientation of the production unit (2), - a transport data determination unit (13) designed to determine transport data (8) according to the occupancy data (5), the component data (6) and the procurement data (7), wherein the transport data (8) is determined by means of an optimization algorithm, wherein the optimization algorithm takes the occupancy data (5), the component data (6) and the procurement data (7) as input data and outputs the transport data (8), wherein the transport data (8) indicates the transport to be performed, and - an output interface for outputting the transport data (8), the output interface being designed to transmit the transport data (8) to a transport system for controlling the transport of components by means of the transport data (8).

10. A production environment (1) having: - the control unit (9) according to claim 9, and - a production unit (2) at which a sensor unit (4) is arranged, wherein the sensor unit (4) is designed to detect sensor data relating to the occupancy status of at least one goods inlet (3).

11. A computer program, which can be directly loaded into the memory of a control unit (9), having program code components that, when the program is executed in the control unit (9), cause the computer program to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A storage medium on which electronically readable control information is stored, the control information including at least one computer program according to claim 11 and being designed to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when the storage medium is used in a control unit (9).

13. A method for controlling the transport of goods in a production environment wherein a transport system controls the transport of goods based on transport data (8), and the transport data (8) is provided to the transport system by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. A method for transporting components in a production environment wherein a transport system transports the components based on transport data, and the transport data (8) is provided to the transport system by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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