A method for scheduling a ring-shaped shuttle vehicle

Abstract

This invention provides a circular shuttle scheduling method, belonging to the field of warehouse system technology, including the following steps: After receiving instructions from the upper control system, the circular shuttle system automatically adapts to the task status, scheduling in an energy-saving mode when the task volume is small and in a fast mode when the task volume is large; after completing the task, the circular shuttle system feeds back information to the upper control system. This invention improves the operating efficiency of circular shuttles, meets the needs of tobacco industrial enterprises for multi-batch, high-volume transportation of raw materials, tobacco materials, finished cigarettes, etc., reduces material entry and exit time, and saves energy consumption of logistics equipment such as circular shuttles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of warehouse system technology, specifically relating to a circular shuttle scheduling method. Background Technology

[0002] Tobacco industrial enterprises have significant material handling needs for raw materials, tobacco processing materials, and finished cigarettes. With the accelerated consolidation of the tobacco industry, cigarette production will continue to increase, as will storage capacity, placing higher demands on material handling speed and efficiency. Logistics equipment must meet requirements such as high operating speed, smooth acceleration and deceleration, and high handling capacity. A circular shuttle system is a collective term for multiple shuttles operating on a circular track, managed by an independent vehicle scheduling system. It is an intelligent, track-guided material handling system primarily used in high-bay warehouse inbound and outbound systems, and is a high-speed, high-efficiency automated planar conveying device.

[0003] The existing circular shuttle system operates using a queuing theory-based scheduling method. While this method is simple to use, easy to control, and readily implemented, making it suitable for situations with small outbound volumes and dispersed outbound times, it suffers from low efficiency, resulting in long inbound and outbound times for raw materials, tobacco materials, and finished cigarettes, and high energy consumption. Therefore, a scientific and efficient circular shuttle scheduling method is needed to improve the operational efficiency of the circular shuttles, meet the needs of tobacco industrial enterprises for multi-batch, high-volume transportation of raw materials, tobacco materials, and finished cigarettes, reduce inbound and outbound times for these materials, and save energy on logistics equipment such as circular shuttles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention is to provide a circular shuttle scheduling method. The purpose of this invention is to improve the operating efficiency of the circular shuttle, meet the needs of tobacco industrial enterprises for multiple batches and large-volume transportation of raw materials, tobacco materials, finished cigarettes and other materials, reduce the time for materials to enter and leave the warehouse, and save energy consumption of logistics equipment such as the circular shuttle.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A circular shuttle scheduling method includes the following steps:

[0007] Step 1): The circular shuttle adopts a task-finding mode: After receiving instructions from the upper control system, the circular shuttle system automatically adapts to the task status. When the task volume is small, it is scheduled in an energy-saving mode, and when the task volume is large, it is scheduled in a fast mode.

[0008] Step 2): Energy-saving scheduling method: Within a time range of M minutes, when the number of operational vehicles minus the number of task vehicles is greater than N, the circular shuttles without tasks are stopped to save energy consumption. When transporting tasks, the system searches for the nearest stopped circular shuttle in the direction of the circular shuttle's movement at the task station. Here, M is determined to be 1-3 minutes based on the site conditions, and N is greater than or equal to 1.

[0009] Step 3): Fast scheduling method: Within a time range of M minutes, when the number of tasks exceeds the number of vehicles that the system can run, all circular shuttles are in operation. The circular shuttles can quickly reach the task station and transport the task to the nearest circular shuttle that has completed its task in the direction of the circular shuttle's operation. M is determined to be 1-3 minutes depending on the situation on site.

[0010] Step 4): After completing the task, the circular shuttle system sends feedback information to the upper control system.

[0011] When the energy-saving and fast modes of the circular shuttle system are executed, the shortest running path of the entire circular shuttle system is considered, but the shortest path of a single circular shuttle is not considered.

[0012] In step 3) above, to improve the overall efficiency of the circular shuttle, the task generation is optimized as follows:

[0013] If the number of tasks exceeds the total number of vehicles that can run in the system, S tasks are taken from the task list each time and assigned to the nearest circular shuttle, where S is the total number of vehicles that can run in the system. Tasks that are too far away or too close to the shuttle are not assigned. The shortest running path of the entire circular shuttle system is calculated, and the task with the shortest distance is assigned to the circular shuttle to reduce the empty running rate of the circular shuttle.

[0014] In step 3) above, when the circular shuttle encounters a preceding vehicle during its operation, it first determines whether the preceding vehicle is performing a task. If the preceding vehicle is not performing a task, it advances the target task of the preceding vehicle 5-8 stations forward to allow the preceding vehicle to proceed and give way. If the preceding vehicle is performing a task, and the preceding vehicle has not completed the loading / unloading task within Q minutes, the preceding vehicle immediately moves forward to give way, and performs the loading / unloading task after completing one lap. If the preceding vehicle's task circular shuttle has not completed the loading / unloading task after completing R laps, the preceding vehicle's task circular shuttle stops operating and issues an alarm signal, requiring manual handling. Here, Q equals 1 minute, and R equals 3 laps.

[0015] Advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies:

[0016] 1. This solution is a scientific and efficient circular shuttle scheduling method. The circular shuttle system automatically adapts to the task status. When the task volume is small, it is scheduled in an energy-saving manner, and when the task volume is large, it is scheduled in a fast manner. This can improve the operating efficiency of the circular shuttle and meet the needs of tobacco industrial enterprises for multiple batches and large-volume transportation of raw materials, tobacco materials, finished cigarettes and other materials.

[0017] 2. The circular shuttle scheduling method adopted in this solution can effectively reduce the time for raw materials, tobacco materials, finished cigarettes and other materials to enter and leave the warehouse, and improve the efficiency of material transfer.

[0018] 3. This solution adopts a circular shuttle scheduling method aimed at energy saving and speed, which saves energy consumption of logistics equipment such as circular shuttles and greatly reduces costs. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall principle of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the vehicle in front avoiding obstacles in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Please see Figure 1-2 The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0023] A circular shuttle scheduling method, see [link to relevant documentation] Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0024] Step 1): The circular shuttle adopts a task-finding mode: After receiving instructions from the upper control system, the circular shuttle system automatically adapts to the task status. When the task volume is small, it is scheduled in an energy-saving mode, and when the task volume is large, it is scheduled in a fast mode.

[0025] Step 2): Energy-saving scheduling method: Within a time range of M minutes, when the number of operational vehicles minus the number of task vehicles is greater than N, the circular shuttles without tasks are stopped to save energy consumption. When transporting tasks, the system searches for the nearest stopped circular shuttle in the direction of the circular shuttle's movement at the task station. M is determined based on the site conditions. In this embodiment, when there are a total of 5 circular shuttles on site, M is 1-3 minutes, and N is greater than or equal to 1.

[0026] Step 3): Fast scheduling method: Within a time range of M minutes, when the number of tasks exceeds the number of vehicles that the system can run, all circular shuttles are in operation. The circular shuttles can quickly reach the task station and transport the task to the nearest circular shuttle that has completed its task in the direction of the circular shuttle's operation. M is determined to be 1-3 minutes depending on the situation on site.

[0027] Step 4): After completing the task, the circular shuttle system sends feedback information to the upper control system.

[0028] When implementing the energy-saving and speed modes of this circular shuttle system, the shortest operating path of the entire circular shuttle system is considered, but the shortest path of a single circular shuttle is not considered.

[0029] In step 3) above, to improve the overall efficiency of the circular shuttle, the task generation is optimized as follows:

[0030] If the number of tasks exceeds the total number of vehicles that can run in the system, S tasks are taken from the task list each time and assigned to the nearest circular shuttle, where S is the total number of vehicles that can run in the system. Tasks that are too far away or too close to the shuttle are not assigned. The shortest running path of the entire circular shuttle system is calculated, and the task with the shortest distance is assigned to the circular shuttle to reduce the empty running rate of the circular shuttle.

[0031] When the circular shuttle encounters the vehicle in front during its operation, see Figure 2 As shown, the process first determines whether the preceding vehicle is performing a task. If the preceding vehicle is not performing a task, the target task of the preceding vehicle is advanced 5-8 stations to allow the preceding vehicle to run and make way. If the preceding vehicle is performing a task, and the preceding vehicle has not completed the loading and unloading task within Q minutes, the preceding vehicle immediately moves forward to make way, and then performs the loading and unloading task after running one lap. If the preceding vehicle has not completed the loading and unloading task after the task's circular shuttle has run R laps, the task's circular shuttle stops running and issues an alarm signal, requiring manual handling. Here, Q equals 1 minute and R equals 3 laps.

[0032] This invention is a scientific and efficient circular shuttle scheduling method. By automatically adapting the circular shuttle system to the task status, it can schedule in an energy-saving manner when the task volume is small and in a fast manner when the task volume is large. This can improve the operating efficiency of the circular shuttle and meet the needs of tobacco industrial enterprises for the multi-batch, high-volume transportation of raw materials, tobacco materials, finished cigarettes, and other materials. It can effectively reduce the material entry and exit time, improve the efficiency of material transfer, save energy consumption of logistics equipment such as circular shuttles, and greatly reduce costs.

[0033] The program code corresponding to the system of this invention has been registered for software copyright.

[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0035] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling a loop shuttle vehicle, the method comprising: Includes the following steps: ​ Step 1): The circular shuttle adopts a task-finding mode: After receiving instructions from the upper control system, the circular shuttle system automatically adapts to the task status. When the task volume is small, it is scheduled in an energy-saving mode, and when the task volume is large, it is scheduled in a fast mode. Step 2): Energy-saving scheduling method: Within a time range of M minutes, when the number of operational vehicles minus the number of task vehicles is greater than N, the circular shuttles without tasks are stopped to save energy consumption. When transporting tasks, the system searches for the nearest stopped circular shuttle in the direction of the circular shuttle's movement at the task station. M is determined to be 1-3 minutes based on the site conditions, and N is greater than or equal to 1. Step 3): Fast scheduling method: Within a time range of M minutes, when the number of tasks exceeds the number of vehicles that the system can run, all circular shuttles are in operation. The circular shuttles can quickly reach the task station and transport the task to the nearest circular shuttle that has completed its task in the direction of the circular shuttle's operation. M is determined to be 1-3 minutes based on the site conditions. Step 4): After completing the task, the circular shuttle system sends feedback information to the upper control system. When the energy-saving and fast modes of the circular shuttle system are executed, the shortest running path of the entire circular shuttle system is considered, but the shortest path of a single circular shuttle is not considered. In step 3) above, when the circular shuttle encounters another vehicle in the process of running, it first determines whether the previous vehicle is performing a task. If the previous vehicle is not performing a task, it advances the target task of the previous vehicle 5-8 stations forward to allow the previous vehicle to run and give way. If the previous vehicle is performing a task, and the previous vehicle has not completed the loading and unloading task within Q minutes, the previous vehicle immediately moves forward to give way, runs one lap, and then performs the loading and unloading task. If the previous vehicle has not completed the loading and unloading task after running R laps, the previous vehicle stops running and issues an alarm signal, and manual handling is required. Here, Q equals 1 minute and R equals 3 laps.

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